Lee Westwood set up a tense climax to the European Order of Merit title race after climbing into second place behind Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen at the weather-hit Volvo Masters here on Saturday.
Heavy rain has played havoc with this season-decider in which Westwood must win to have a chance of pipping Sweden’s Robert Karlsson to the title he last won back in 2000. And the Briton gave himself every chance when playing the last 11 holes of his second round, held over from Friday after a deluge suspended play, in six under par.
His 68 put him on a four under par total of 138, two shots behind Kjeldsen who shot a 71. Westwood is in a three-way tie for second with Anthony Wall, who shot a 69, and Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who came in with a 70.
The players started their third round before play once again had to be halted due to the rain. Weather conditions were to dictate whether the event was decided over three or four rounds yesterday.
If Westwood does win the tournament Karlsson, who is four over after matching his first round 73, will have to be second or third to retain top spot on the money list. Padraig Harrington’s hopes of a second Order of Merit crown in three years are by no means over either after he completed his second round in 71 to leave him five over par. He can finish in the top two and overtake Karlsson, although a Westwood victory would deny him.
Harrington was to resume his third round yesterday on two over after putting in a superb 32 before play was called off for the day. When the hold up came Kjeldsen and Garcia were locked together on five under, with Westwood four under and Briton Wall three under. Westwood’s second round 68 owed something to a stroke of good luck.
After coming back from three early bogeys with four birdies in five holes around the turn, he went against his caddie’s advice in trying for the green in two at the long 17th. The ball was pulled so far left that it stopped on the bank of the lake rather than in the water and from there he chipped to 15 feet and made it.
After adding another birdie at the last he stated: “It was my fault. Alastair [McLean] wanted me to hit six iron, but me being me I got the three wood out and hit a terrible shot.”
“I played the wrong shot, but I got lucky and got away with it. The key was playing a good chip — I could easily have put it into the water,” he said.
Harrington felt the improved weather during the morning had done him no favors. He had played 13 holes in far tougher conditions yesterday before the stoppage came, then returned to par the remaining five for a 71.
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