Golf-Westwood looking for magic carpet ride at Augusta (Reuters)

By Tom Pilcher

LONDON, April 3 (Reuters) – Lee Westwood is hoping that
putting on carpets in the build-up will help him to a memorable
ride at the U.S. Masters starting on Thursday as the Briton
seeks to land a long overdue first major title.

Renowned as one of the best ball strikers from tee to green,
the world number two’s chipping and putting have not quite
reached the same heights however.

Since finishing second at Augusta last year, the Englishman
defied injury to help Europe win the Ryder Cup in October and
the following month reached the pinnacle of the sport by
replacing Tiger Woods as number one.

Westwood now just wants the putts to drop when it really
matters—on the super-fast greens of the Augusta National.

“I’ve been on the carpet at home hitting a few putts because
they’re the quickest I could find. My stroke’s starting to feel
good,” he told reporters in a conference call.

“Confidence in my game has moved on so hopefully if I
prepare the same this year it’ll be good enough.”

Westwood has been agonisingly close to a breakthrough in
recent times, with top-three finishes in four of his last five
majors.

“I really look forward to majors. I did do before but now
I’ve begun to contend for them more often I look forward to them
more,” he said.

Holding the number one ranking from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28, when
he was overtaken by German Martin Kaymer, has clearly helped the
37-year-old Westwood.

“I can tick the number one spot off now, there are only
majors left,” said the twice former European order of merit
winner.

SEVE MAGIC

If a caddie can provide the spark for a major victory then
Westwood is in capable hands.

His bagman and friend Billy Foster caddied for the great
Seve Ballesteros, a winner of two Green Jackets at Augusta.

It was the Spaniard’s short game wizardry that had the
crowds in awe, something Westwood is trying to feed off.

“Billy never stops mentioning Seve and the stuff he did,
where he got his up and downs from when he caddied for him
there,” said the Ryder Cup stalwart.

“It can’t hurt can it? I’m sure Billy formulates his game
plan and talks me round from a lot of what he’s learnt from how
Seve played.”

Westwood was full of praise for Foster who linked up with
his compatriot in May 2009.

“He’s made a massive improvement, he’s got good experience
round Augusta, he’s very meticulous when we have practice rounds
and he’s always jotting down notes. I’m better for having him
… that’s for sure,” the Englishman added.

Westwood slipped to 266th in the world after a form slump
following his 2000 order of merit triumph but regrouped to land
his second money-list crown in 2009.

“I figured I wasn’t any good at anything else so I thought
I’d try to be a golfer again although I should have taken up
journalism—that’d be nice,” he joked.

Westwood said he always enjoyed the unique atmosphere of
Masters week.

“I love it. I like the tradition, the way everything is
done, it’s classy,” he added.

“They just have their own rules, they’re not bothered how
everybody else thinks. They’re a law unto themselves, quirky
things like no phones and no running, holding on to all the old
traditions from the game of golf.”

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)