The Golf Watch

Lee Westwood's good sportsmaship exemplary

I have to tip my cap to Lee Westwood, who came all too close once again to capturing his first major championship. 

It wasn't only Westwood's precision on the course that impressed me, it was the way he handled himself in his post-round interviews.

Westwood said that although he was disappointed with some aspects of his final round, he was proud of his overall performance.  Most importantly, he said that Phil Mickelson earned the victory and that he was happy for him. 

Westwood was bombarded with questions all weekend about how he has come so close in the past without sealing the deal.  The Englishman held his head high, simply saying that he hopes his time will come.  In the meantime, he will keep plugging away. 

Wilbon: Lee Westwood should shut up

It looks like an American reporter has jumped on Lee Westwood's post-round comments--Mike Wilbon on ESPN's PTI.  If you need a refresher, Westwood implied that the crowds were abusive and shameful.  Here's Wilbon's response:

I can just say Lee Westwood should shut up.  You talk about a loser, and a loser's mentality...Lee Westwood is just a whiney little baby. 

Wilbon went on to say that Europe's upper echelon players like Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia didn't come to play, and that's why they lost.

Still, Westwood's comments should not be discredited.  As he told Kelly Tilghman of TGC, the crowd said some pretty nasty things to him and were abusive throughout the week.  If this is the case, Westwood's comments should be taken seriously.