Westwood eyes Dubai title

The Englishman has twice been a runner-up at Emirates Golf Club - the most recent in 2010 when he lost a play-off to Miguel Angel Jimenez - but is looking to take the final step and walk away with the trophy after two solid weeks on the Desert Swing .

Last week he was tied 12th at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and the previous week he finished tied 17th in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, his first event of the season.

"My short game is a little sharper than normal, and the putting is quite nice - I'm starting to roll a few longer ones in. "
Westwood on his early 2012 form Quotes of the week

"I'd say if I was making an appraisal of the first couple of weeks, I've hit it a lot better than I normally do this time of year," said Westwood, who won the Dubai World Championship in 2009.

"My short game is a little sharper than normal, and the putting is quite nice - I'm starting to roll a few longer ones in.

"This is obviously a place I like coming and playing. I love this golf course. I think it's a good test and you get what you deserve around it. It's usually in great condition and I don't think this year is any exception. It's a nice place to come to play early in the season.

"I came and practised here three weeks ago to get ready for Abu Dhabi and Qatar, so it's the last of a four-week trip. It's good to be back here and be competitive.

"They normally grow the rough up a little bit here. And the greens are firm, so it puts a demand on hitting the fairways. It's a bit breezy out there, but there's nothing tricky about the fairways. They're pretty flat. I've always found it a fair golf course."

Westwood will have to contend with a strong field over the Majilis Course, with world number two Rory McIlroy, world number four Martin Kaymer and defending champion Alvaro Quiros all in attendance.

However, the 38 year-old believes anyone can triumph, as shown by the fact the last four tournaments have been won by players further down the Official World Golf Ranking in Paul Lawrie, Robert Rock and Branden Grace.

"I think it shows the strength of the European Tour," he said. "We're very strong right now. Robert has got a very good game and seems the kind of player that once he gets the knack of winning he will win quite a bit.

"Paul is a major champion, so that was no real shock as he putts well on grainy greens and plays well in the desert. He nearly won the Dubai World Championship last year. It seems some people's games are suited to desert golf, but the strength in depth on The European Tour at the moment is the main thing."

Apologise for swearing

Westwood also revealed in Tuesday's press conference that it was his mum who told him that he had been caught swearing on live television in Qatar.

The incident occurred during the 38-year-old's closing 69 on Sunday.

"My mum was the first person on the phone and she said you might want to apologise," said Westwood.

"I didn't think that down at four-under-par I would be on TV. It's amazing how sensitive these microphones are."

After the conversation with his mum, Westwood issued an immediate apology on his Twitter account.

"Sorry about swearing on the 16th tee. Came off like a rocket and thought it was going further! Wash my mouth out! Perils of live tv!", he wrote.