Saturday At The 2010 Players

I didn't follow Lee Westwood long today but I can't help but continue to be impressed with the aura surrounding him as he builds toward a possible Players win, and this summer, the Opens.

His new physique remains something to behold (even after the Masters). Just look at the NBC head shots of him, pre-training program. And while a noticeably slimmer waist or chiseled facial features are not the obvious recipe for major success, it's his overall devotion to his body, mind, game and schedule that oozes a unique determination to win a major.

Listening to his agent a few days ago explain Westwood's pre-U.S. Open run that starts with a return trip home and featuring a centerpiece 10-12 days of physical training over two weeks--"like a boxer," Chubby Chandler says--followed by a practice trip to Pebble, then the Memphis stop and ending with the Open at Pebble, you sense a Phil or Tiger or Padraig-like focus that makes it hard not to consider him a favorite in both Opens and certainly Sunday at the TPC.

Jeff Rude quotes Westwood about his mindset after taking the third round lead at The Players:

“I’m pleased with myself knocking on the door and getting in position,” he said. “Some of the golf I’ve played in big tournaments has been great stuff.”

Westwood is better equipped to excel in golf’s most prestigious tournaments because he has shored up his short game the last couple of years. He looked around and saw that leading players such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington had “wicked short games.”

“Once it sunk in,” he said, “it started paying dividends.”

So watch for those wedge shots around the greens, particularly off the tight lies. And more importantly, note the quiet determination. It should prove interesting to watch, particularly if someone can put a little heat on Westwood. After all, the numbers aren't on his side, as Brian Wacker suggests:

-He's 0-for-America in the last 12 years.
-A Brit has never won this tournament.
-He's 0-for-51 in major championships and while this isn't a major, it's a major deal.
-Seventeen of the 28 winners of THE PLAYERS Championship have trailed going into the final round.
-He's Lee Westwood and this is what he does. He teases us. He tempts us. He's lures us in with the charming accent and a personality to match.

As always, click on the images to enlarge...

And on 18...