Westy not on his game

Lee Westwood: Has not been on his game this week

Lee Westwood admitted his game throughout the Open Championship has not been "up to scratch" after he slumped to four over par after the third round at Royal Lytham.

Playing alongside Open legend Tom Watson, the world No 3 three-putted the final green to card a one-over 71 which left him well outside the top 50.

"I've not done anything differently this week but I came in not hitting it great and I've continued not hitting it great."
Lee Westwood Quotes of the week

Westwood, fortunate to make the cut with nothing to spare, dropped three shots in four holes from the third before recovering with four birdies over the next nine.

But after finishing with bogeys at 16 and 18, he said: "I got off to a poor-ish start and it wasn't really going my way but I dug in and made a few birdies and hit it close.

"I birdied 15 to get to one-under for the round but had a poor finish; I hit it to a terrible spot on 16 with my second shot - a schoolboy error going long there.

"And 18 I three-putted off the back but there was a chance of that because it is a cunning flag and it's quick from there.

"I've not done anything differently this week but I came in not hitting it great and I've continued not hitting it great and that's the reason I'm four over par and not better.

"Nothing has been up to scratch this week. I've not holed enough putts, my short game wasn't great the first couple of days, and I haven't hit it close enough although I've hit plenty of fairways.

"You need all of your game to be in shape to play one of these weeks."

Watson, who shot 76, said he believes Westwood can still win a major title.

"Of course I see a major win in him. He's knocked at the door too many times not to win," said the veteran - a five-time open champion.

"The only advice is you just have to shoot lower than everyone else in the tournament. He will be there again, I expect him to win a major championship."