Westwood won’t give up

The Worksop man finished with a share of third, two strokes behind eventual Masters winner Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen.

After admitting it was his lack of success on the putting surface that cost him the Green Jacket, 38-year-old Westwood vowed to keep battling for his first ever major.

“The story of the week is you have got to putt well to win the Masters, and I haven’t,” he said.

“(You have to) keep plugging and working out. Don’t give up. I don’t feel like giving up just yet.”

Sunday’s round of 68 left the Worksop Golf Club export eight under par and two shots shy of a place in a play-off against Oosthuizen and Watson.

It gave him the 10th top five major finish of his career.

But going close is no longer enough for the former Valley School pupil.

“Unfortunately the weakness in my game is costing me tournaments. It’s frustrating. I can’t seem to turn it around at the moment. I know that when I do, the wins will come.”

He began the tournament in fine style, carding a five under par 67.

But Friday’s second round saw him hit 34 putts in a 73 and on Saturday he shot level par.

Yet again his tee to green play put him in contention, and three consecutive birdies on the back nine on Sunday saw him take second place.

But he was unable to hole an eagle putt on 15 that became a pivotal moment in his weekend.

He said: “(If) I made eagle at 15 and I’m looking at a couple of birdies probably on the last few holes I might get in a playoff. That was a good putt that didn’t go in.”

Despite taking a clubhouse lead, Westwood’s total of 280 shots wasn’t quite enough and he had to settle for his second top three finish at Augusta in three tournaments.

But he tried to remain upbeat in his post-tournament interview, insisting: “I’ve been in there a couple times nearly the last four years and it’s a great experience. It’s a nice place to be. As a professional golfer, it’s the arena you want to play in. When the weather is like this, there is nowhere quite like it.”