Golf: Mcllroy, Westwood remain optimistic

LYTHAM: Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood were in reflective moods after finishing their British Open bids with unspectacular final rounds yesterday. World number two McIlroy signed off with a 73 to end on eight-over-par, two shots worse than third-ranked Westwood, who completed the tournament with a 72. McIlroy, who started promisingly with an opening 67, thought he had found the cause of his inconsistent play. However, he is ready to face defeat if it is coming his way. Westwood’s long wait for a first major title will continue. But he was not at all despondent despite having made five birdies in his final round mixed in with a double-bogey and five bogeys. “You just learn to live with it and keep working on it,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2012.