BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

September 10, 2021

Lee Westwood

Wentworth Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Thoughts on 4-under today?

LEE WESTWOOD: I wasn't playing very well, so I didn't have much control of the golf ball. I had to find some way of start hitting fairways and I did that on 12, hit the fairway and a good 5-iron and gave myself an eagle look.

Then a bad swing on a 9-iron on the next. Missed the green and put myself under pressure again.

Hit a good shot into 14, four or five feet. Hit some good shots coming in. Hit a scrappy tee so the on 16 and birdied the last two holes which is always on around here but at the same time, you're always delighted if you do it.

I feel like 4-under is still in the tournament if I can get a feeling on the range this afternoon. Certainly putting well. Short game is good. Yeah, I was pleased with how I battled it out.

Q. Is that the most encouraging thing, that when it's not all there, you can still post a score?

LEE WESTWOOD: Certainly haven't had all there for the first two days here and I'm 4-under par, so this is as tricky as this golf course has played in a few years. The rain has softened it up slightly but you've still got to hit good shots. That's the beauty of Wentworth is it's a good test.

Q. Is it a hallmark of your experience in many respects? There won't be many people in this field if any who have played more rounds around here in a competitive environment, and as you say, you had to find something on the back nine?

LEE WESTWOOD: Probably Miguel. He's played 30 of these. This is my 28th. Yeah, I always feel like Wentworth requires a lot of patience. Especially depending on the wind and the wind today blowing you many from 10, really, even though 12 is slightly into the wind, it's still a par 5 that's a drivable par 5 that gives you a chance. Just have to have patience. If you're a couple over on the front nine, you know you can be a couple under like I did on the back nine with a few birdies.

Q. Final qualifying event for The Ryder Cup. You've told me over the years many, many times how you like to compartmentalise it all. Is it as easy to do that now as it has always been?

LEE WESTWOOD: Yeah, very easy. I'm here to try and win the BMW PGA Championship and Sunday night, if you're in the team, then you start thinking about The Ryder Cup.

Yeah, there's so many variables, as well, with the way we've set up the qualification this time around. This tournament is heavily loaded compared to everything else we've done, and I think it's something to maybe look at in the future. I think some of the guys turning up here don't need this week right now, knowing what the Ryder Cup is like, they don't need this week, two weeks before The Ryder Cup. It is going to be draining for a few, and you want to be going into the Ryder Cup fresh.

Q. There is a lot of volatility?

LEE WESTWOOD: You can see how players are reacting to it out on the golf course. You know there's people right in there and they are shooting scores where clearly they have got other things on their mind.

You know, I've played with Shane, he's managed to block everything out well and play well, and Shane Lowry is the kind of player that you want on your Ryder Cup Team. I'm pleased to see him play well.