Westwood: Difficult week
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Lee Westwood feels the intense media scrutiny that surrounds the Open Championship hinders the British players competing in it.
The Englishman arrived at Royal Birkdale as one of the favourites to win the Claret Jug this year having finished third at the US Open at Torrey Pines last month.
However, Westwood struggled to come to terms with the tough conditions and having narrowly survived the cut finds himself towards the very back of the field after a third round of 78 on Saturday.
While a stone-cold putter has hardly aided his challenge, Westwood feels the added pressure applied by the media has played a part in his substandard performance.
"The disappointing thing is that at the US Open I went in with no expectations," he said. "This week that's just not possible.
"There's so much going on, especially for an English player. It's just not possible to be low key.
"There's too much to do to concentrate solely on golf. I think that's part of the reason British players don't do better, but I think I can manage it better in the future."
Putting woes
After just one birdie over the course of his opening 52 holes Westwood finally made a second on the par-five 17th, but promptly missed a four-foot putt for another on 18 to sum up a frustrating week on the greens.
"I didn't want to spoil it by birdieing the last as well," he quipped.
"I wish this was Sunday - I've just not felt comfortable on the greens. I went back to a normal grip today, but left everything short."
