Wounded Lee Westwood tries to play on at Links

Published on Thursday 7 October 2010 19:43

LEE Westwood is set to battle on in the Dunhill Links Championship despite the calf injury that caused concern heading into the Ryder Cup flaring up again.

Three days after helping Europe regain the trophy in Wales, the Englishman was back needing treatment after ending his opening round in the 3.1 million event at Kingsbarns in agony. "I felt it coming off the seventh tee," said Westwood after signing for a two-under-par 70. "It was a steep downslope and it's really aching now like I'm doing too much too soon."

He admitted it might have been a mistake on his part to play this week after the Ryder Cup was his first competitive appearance since pulling out of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in the first round at the beginning of August. Westwood played in all four sessions at Celtic Manor and that, allied to the wet underfoot conditions on a course that was hilly in parts, might have taken its toll.

"Playing two weeks in a row was probably too much in hindsight," he added. "I should have gone back to rehab. I'm going to go and get treatment and see how it is."

Steve McGregor, Westwood's personal trainer, isn't with him in Scotland this week, but the player was straight on the phone to him after finishing.

He then had some treatment in the European Tour physiotherapy van and, after being assured he won't aggravate the injury, has decided to play on at St Andrews today.

Westwood, who will end Tiger Woods' long reign with a first or second-place finish on Sunday, can still become world No 1 by the end of the month, even if he had to pull of this event and the Portugal Masters next week. That could happen if neither Woods, Phil Mickelson or Steve Stricker play again before 31 October.