Lee Westwood is confident about his game after winning a Rolex Series event in Abu Dhabi in January. Can he win his first Major at 47? Picture by GETTY IMAGES

BRITISH Masters host Lee Westwood still believes he can win a Major.

And the former world No. 1 encouraged England’s top amateurs to replicate his work ethic and self-confidence as they strive to achieve their own career goals.

The seven-times Ryder Cup winner took time out from his preparations for the European Tour’s return at Close House next month, by taking part in the latest England Golf online Q&A session with players and coaches from its national squads.

Westwood – who represented England with distinction as an amateur before turning pro in 1993 – shared tales from life on tour.

The “Worksop Wonder,” who is now based in the North East, also gave tips on coaching, practice and course management – as well as offering sound advice for the next generation of England’s elite amateurs.

The 47-year-old’s CV means that he commands instant respect from golfers everywhere.

And his online audience during the hour-long session was no exception.

In the course of his 27 years on Tour Westwood has:

• Achieved 44 tournament victories
• Won pro events in five continents – North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia
• Enjoyed 19 top 10 finishes in Major championships
• Finished inside the top three in all four Majors
• Replaced Tiger Woods as World No. 1 in 2010 and spent 22 weeks at the top
• Played in 10 and won seven Ryder Cups as well as winning one as a vice-captain in 2018

And with the Open heading to Royal St George’s in 2021 after the R&A were forced to cancel the 149th contest for the Claret Jug, it is worth remembering that his great friend Darren Clarke was a shock winner at Sandwich in 2011.

Westwood can also take inspiration that he already has a victory at Royal St George’s to his name.

He won the St George’s Grand Challenge – reputedly the oldest club open in the world – as an amateur back in 1992.

And a certain Jack Nicklaus also has name on that trophy… having won the event in 1959.

Lee Westwood speaking to members of the England national squads and their coaches online

‘Believe in yourself, no one else will’

WHEN asked to pass on one piece of advice to players making the transition from amateur to pro ranks, Westwood said: “Have confidence in yourself.

“It’s a dog-eat-dog world and no-one will put an arm round you. You need to grow up quickly, have faith and confidence in yourself. Convince yourself that you belong out there.

“If you don’t believe in yourself, then no-one else will.”

Westwood demonstrated he still has total belief in his own ability to compete.

Asked if – after so many near misses – he still felt in his heart of hearts that a Major win was still achievable at the age of 47, he said: “Yes – that’s why I do the hard work still – why I’ve lost weight during lockdown so that I’m fit for Majors at the end of the year.

“It’s why I practice,” added Westwood, who credits his work ethic for his career longevity.

“I maybe don’t practice as much as used to, but my practice is more meaningful.

“I turned up to Bethpage for the PGA – where Brooks Koepka won – and looked at the course and thought I wasn’t long enough.

“There were too many advantages for the lads who carry it 310-315 yards through the air. I can’t carry it that far.

“The rough was brutally thick and I was in the rough playing rescue clubs and they played seven-iron. Eventually that wears you down.

“But for the Masters, Harding Park for the PGA this year – I feel as if I have good a chance as anyone if I play my game.

“It’s only a few months since I won a Rolex event with the World No. 1 (Brooks Koepka) playing that week in Abu Dhabi.

“If you can get your game in shape for a course that suits you, then why not?

“It’s all about having the right mentality.”

The 1993 England Home Internationals team. Back row (L-R): Lee James, Lee Westwood, Iain Pyman, Gary Wolstenholme, Michael Welsh, Van Phillips, Colin Edwards. Front row: Paul Page, Warren Bennett, Peter McEvoy (manager), David Fisher and Matt Stanford

‘Seve game me cotton wool at Valderrama’

DURING the session, Westwood touched on the importance of coaches to his career. He has worked with celebrated names such as Pete Cowen, David Leadbetter and Robert Rock.

Crucially, he stressed the importance of taking responsibility for his own swing to avoid being caught up in a “hazy panic” of too many different thoughts.

He also explained his loyalty to club manufacturers having stayed with Titleist and Ping throughout his career.

And he joked about his Ryder Cup debut in 1997. Captain Seve Ballesteros gave him a gift before he hit his first tee shot – a giant ball of cotton wool to stuff in his ears to block out the noise of the Valderrama crowd.

Westwood’s tips were gratefully received by his audience, and he was happy to pass on advice having once been in their position as a teenage hopeful.

Westwood – winner of the McEvoy Trophy and British Youths’ Championship as an amateur – added: “I enjoyed the England days.

“They give you a footing in the game, learning to travel and becoming independent,” added the ex-Nottinghamshire junior, who was a member at Worksop GC.

“Going for England coaching sessions and playing Home Internationals, travelling to Iceland for the European Boys team champs – that’s not somewhere you’d go very often – and Norway too.

“They were good trips and it prepared me for travelling around on Tour.

“Nowadays, amateurs are like semi-pros and have travelled all over the world. The really good ones settle in far easier to pro life than when I started out.

“My first pro event was my debut event as a pro in the Madeira Open.

“Amateurs such as Rory McIlroy had played 15/16 pro events as an amateur by the time they stepped up – and that makes a huge difference.”

Westwood became the touring pro at Close House, near Newcastle, after it opened in 2011 – he will host the Betfred British Masters for a second time in July

Westwood: Fifty European Tour wins would be great

LEE WESTWOOD will be the British Masters host for a second time when the first post-lockdown European Tour event is held at Close House Golf Club, from July 22-25.

And he’s eager to get back and target more success at his adopted home in the North East, and beyond.

“I’m at 44 wins– let’s see if I can get to fifty!,” concluded Westwood with a smile.

Westwood’s willingness to examine the fallow periods in his career as well as the many highs helped provide great insight for the current squad players, who enjoyed the session chaired by England performance director Nigel Edwards.

Westwood was the British Masters host when Paul Dunne claimed his maiden European Tour win at Close House, in 2017, finishing three strokes ahead of Rory McIlroy.

Lee Westwood’s Amateur victories
1991 – Peter McEvoy Trophy – Copt Heath GC
English Boys County Champions (Nottinghamshire) – Prince’s GC
1992 – Lagonda Trophy – Gog Magog GC
St George’s Grand Challenge Cup – Royal St George’s
Prince of Wales Challenge Cup – Royal Cinques Port
1993 – Leven Gold Medal Leven Links
British Youths Championship – Glasgow Gailles GC

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South African M G Keyser has eyes on the prize at this week’s MENA Tour’s Journey to Jordan Tour Championship. Picture by MENA TOUR

ESSEX’S James Allan will be looking to make up for the disappointment of missing out on the EuroPro Tour’s biggest prize by claiming the MENA Tour’s Journey to Jordan Tour Championship at Ayla Golf Course.

The top 60 players on the MENA Tour’s order of merit tee it up in Jordan’s Aqaba, on Tuesday, for the 54-hole shoot-out with the incentive of three starts in the European Tour’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, in January, up for grabs.

Allan, who won his first MENA event at the Abu Dhabi Open, in early October, lost a play-off against Sweden’s European Tour veteran Mikael Lundberg, at the EuroPro Tour Championship, in Spain, at the end of that month.

It cost him a European Challenge Tour card as well as the first prize of £22,540 as he finished in 10th place on the Race to Desert Springs Order of Merit.

Left-hander Allan had to birdie the last two holes at Desert Springs to force the play-off having been the 36-hole leader.

But the 25-year-old – who won Gog Magog’s prestigious Lagonda Trophy four years ago – came up shy when Lundberg made an up-and-down par at the 18th on the third time of asking despite finding the greenside trap and Allan made a bogey five.

The Chelmsford GC member has already played in the Dubai Desert Classic twice as an amateur – having won the MENA’s Amateur Order of Merit in 2014 and 2015.

James Allan is currently ranked third on the Journey to Jordan, but faces a strong field – some with Challenge Tour experience – including South Africa’s M G Keyser, who already has a MENA Tour win to his name in 2019, and tops the Journey to Jordan after the penultimate event.

Only three professionals have a chance to be crowned the MENA Tour’s No. 1 – Keyser, Australian Daniel Gaunt and Allan.

Chelmsford’s James Allan, whose maiden MENA Tour win came at the Abu Dhabi Open, in October. Picture by MENA Tour

M G Keyser said: “It’s the same as any other week. I really can’t predict what others are going to do.

“I can only control myself. I have had a couple of good weeks on the Asian Tour before coming here and I played well in the practice round.

“So, just go out there, have fun, and hopefully, at the end of the day, I am still at the top,” added Keyser, who will win the Journey To Jordan by finishing solo second or better.

Apart from the honour of being called the No. 1 on the MENA Tour – sponsored by Arena – in both its professional and amateur categories, there is also the substantial winner’s cheque of $18,000 for the pros to be decided on Thursday evening – plus plenty of playing opportunities to aspire for.

The overall professional Journey to Jordan champion and runner-up, the leading player on the ‘Final Five’ Order of Merit and the Leading Amateur will earn their spot at the Dubai Desert Classic, at Emirates Golf Club, from January 23-26.

The No. 1 also receives invites to the European Tour’s Made in Denmark tournament, and the 2020 Diamond Cup – co-sanctioned by Japan Golf Tour Organization and the Asian Tour.

The overall runner-up will be invited to two leading Asian Tour events – the 2020 Bank BRI Indonesian Open and the season-ending Indonesian Masters (Dec 12-15).

The player finishing third in the overall Journey to Jordan will receive invites to two European Challenge Tour events.

The fourth-placed player gets two Asian Tour starts, while the fifth-placed player will be assured of a Challenge Tour invitation.

Keyser, winner of the Troon Series Dubai Open leads the Professional Journey To Jordan, having earned $44,361, while Burhill Golf Club’s Surrey based Australian Daniel Gaunt, is second on $36,474.

Greenkeeper Gaunt, making a comeback to competitive golf after giving up professional golf this year, won the Troon Series Al Zorah Open.

Former European Tour star Matthew Baldwin is third at $27,820, followed by James Allan on $27,037, and Frenchman Robin Roussell ($25,190).

But Baldwin and Roussell, who have recently finished their season on the Challenge Tour, have opted not to play this week, with the Frenchman heading to Leopard Creek for the European Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Colchester’s Benjamin David, who is in sixth place on the rankings, can secure some of those coveted Tour starts by winning the event and leap-frogging Baldwin.

Knipes copies Allan’s route to Dubai

bridge’s Curtis Knipes is aiming to repeat James Allan’s MENA Tour’s Amateur Order of Merit wins to earn a place at the Dubai Desert Classic, in January. Picture by MENA TOUR

ON the Amateur Journey To Jordan rankings, Essex’s Curtis Knipes is in pole position with 21,662 points, followed by 15-year-old Josh Hill with 19,705 pts.

Hill generated worldwide headlines when he became the youngest player ever to win an Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) event last month at the Al Ain Open.

Knipes, who has a lead of 1,957 points over Hill, said: “It would be nice to win the Journey To Jordan and play the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

“I felt that the Open Championship at Royal Portrush was a bit of a wasted opportunity, so it would be nice to test myself again,” said the Abridge GC member, who came through Regional and Final Qualifying to earn a sport at the first Open held in Northern Ireland in 58 years.

“You never know what can happen if I play well there,” added Knipes, who was the 2018 England County Champion of Champions.

“Having said that, I am just trying to compete against the pros as I have done in every other tournament this year. Try and focus on the winning score and see how well I can play.”

Fifth-ranked Arjun Gupta, from India, who has 4,342 points, also has an outside chance of getting his hands on the Amateur Journey To Jordan crown.

Hampshire’s Harry Ellis, who picked up two runners-up spots in October, was ineligbile for the Journey to Jordan, having not been a full MENA Tour member at the start of the season.

The 2017 Amateur Champion, who failed to reach the final stage of last week’s European Tour Qualifying School, in Spain, earned enough points to be sixth on the rankings.

The tournament starts Tuesday with Keyser, Gaunt and Allan forming the final group. They tee off at 11am local time.

•For live scoring from click here.

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