Westwood Heading For Florida This Fall In Search Of A Temperate Practice Climate

Derek Lawrenson quotes Lee Westwood at length about the surprising decision to set up shop in Florida to improve his chances in the latter years of his career. Though he'll be far from any decent racetracks.

Speaking for the first time about the startling decision to move lock, stock and barrel at the age of 39, the Englishman said: ’There are a number of reasons but the main one is I haven’t got that much time left at the top, and I want to give myself the best chance of staying there as long as I can. I am moving to America at the end of this year because, with our weather, it is hard to practice when you want to practice in the UK.’

The Westwoods are so committed they are not even keeping a base in the UK. They will move to the West Palm Beach area - a popular enclave with the top golfers. Rory McIlroy rented a home there for three months earlier in the year and Donald has a base there as well. One of the attractions is the Bear’s Club, where Jack Nicklaus lives, which offers state-of-the-art practice facilities.