Former world No. 1 Lee Westwood made an impressive start to the 153rd Open Championship on Thursday, with his wife Helen caddying for him every step of the way. The 52-year-old shot a two-under 69 in his opening round on a rain-soaked Dunluce Links course at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland.
While an unconventional arrangement, Westwood affirmed his choice for his 90th major appearance. “I prefer to have her caddying for me whenever she can,” he told reporters, sitting just two shots off the lead. “It was an easy decision for me. Probably harder for her – she’d rather be at home riding her horse.”
The on-course partnership began in 2018, a move that brought immediate success when Westwood won his 24th European Tour title in their third tournament together. Helen, who had never played golf before, admitted she “didn’t have a bloody clue” what she was doing initially. Their unique dynamic continued after their 2021 marriage, with the couple spending their “honeymoon” competing at the US Open.
Westwood, a seven-time Ryder Cup champion, handles the technical decisions, while Helen manages his mental game. “Sometimes, when I’m kicking off and having a bit of a moan and a whinge, she looks at me and goes, ‘Are you finished?’” Westwood said. Helen added, “He’s in a beautiful spot doing something that he loves. I’m like, ‘Grow up, get on with it.’”
Despite entering the tournament as a 500/1 longshot, Westwood can draw confidence from his last Open appearance at Royal Portrush in 2019, where he finished tied-fourth with Helen also on the bag. He continues his quest for a first major title, having recorded nine top-10 finishes in previous attempts.
Thursday’s round marked his 28th Open start and his first since 2022, the year he joined LIV Golf. He secured his spot at Royal Portrush by winning a qualifying event just days after competing in a LIV tournament in Dallas.
Westwood briefly held a share of the early lead at four-under par before bogeys on the 14th and 16th holes dropped him back. “Links golf more than any golf gives you a chance when you’re our age,” he said. “There’s a bit more run on the ball… you’ve got to use the conditions. Can’t beat a senior name up there on a Thursday… we’ll talk again if it’s up there on Sunday.”
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