Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Westwood one off lead in Shanghai

HSBC Champions challenge first round leaderboard :
-7 F Molinari (Ita) -6 L Westwood (Eng) -5 Seung-yul Noh (Kor), Y Ikeda (Jpn), H Stenson (Swe)-4 T Woods (USA), L Donald (Eng), P Martin (Spa)
Selected others:-3 R Fisher (Eng), P Mickelson (USA) -2 I Poulter (Eng), R Goosen (SA), P Harrington (IRL) +1 R McIlroy (IRE) level M Kaymer (Ger)

Lee Westwood
Westwood appears to be enjoying his world number one status

New world number one Lee Westwood is one shot off the lead at the HSBC Champions challenge in Shanghai after firing a first-round, six-under par 66.

The Englishman dropped only one shot and showed no signs of a recent calf injury, or pressure at his new status.

Westwood finished two shots ahead of the man he dethroned, Tiger Woods, who can reclaim the top spot with victory.

Italy's Francesco Molinari was the early pace-setter on seven under after recording a superb 65.

Molinari made four straight birdies toward the end of his round to ensure he finished the day as sole leader.

But most eyes remained on the battle for the world number one spot, with Westwood eager to retain his place at the top of the rankings having only secured it on Sunday.

And the 37-year-old, playing for the first time in over three weeks after a persistent calf problem, was in excellent form as he picked up shots on some of the toughest holes at Sheshan International. His only dropped shot came at the seventh when he had a clump of mud on his ball in the fairway.

But Woods, who lost his number one ranking after a 281-week reign, is snapping at Westwood's heels after a 68.

The American's round included a run of three consecutive birdies and he is well placed to make a charge that could take him back to the top of the rankings.

Westwood has only a narrow lead over Woods and Martin Kaymer, with Phil Mickelson fourth in the rankings.

Mickelson, the defending champion and paired with Westwood, shot a 69 to remain in contention but Germany's Kaymer could only manage level par.

Potenshöjande medel - köp cialis receptfritt

No comments: