A magnificent second-place finish in the Players’ Championship this weekend has moved Lee Westwood back into the world’s top 20 and given the Englishman a significant boost ahead of the Masters on 8 April.
The 47-year-old led the field after round two at Sawgrass in Florida and extended his lead to two strokes on Saturday before being beaten by a single stroke by Justin Thomas on Sunday’s final day of play.
But his return to form at the flagship event one week on from being edged into second spot by US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau at the Arnold Palmer Invitational marks a timely return to form for the former world number one.
His Arnold Palmer performance was his best result on the PGA Tour since he was runner-up to Danny Willett in the 2016 Masters, and when he returns to Augusta in three weeks’ time he will do so with renewed vigour thanks to his recent results.
And when he steps out at the Augusta National, he will do so with 19-year-old son Sam caddying for him having had fiancée Helen performing the same role at Sawgrass. In preparation for the Masters, he and Sam will also play the course on Monday.
“I’ve got a fun couple of days coming up. I’m going to play Augusta with my son Sam,” he revealed after losing out to Thomas on Sunday. “Tomorrow’s going to be a good Monday, it’s the first time he’s played there.
“He’s been there with me years ago, but he’s caddying for me this in the Masters itself, so I figure I’m taking him to play 36 holes Monday and Tuesday. It will be a good ‘lads and dads’ trip. I’m looking forward to it.”
Westwood has three second-place Major finishes to his name, and has finished in the top 10 as many as 19 times. He last ended the year in the top 20 of the world rankings in 2012, but will be hoping to extend his recent return to form to again be a threat in this year’s Majors.
