mar28 westwood leads at Andalucia Open
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Lee Westwood shot a 7-under 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead at the Andalucia Open.
The event’s defending champion sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the first hole and then picked up five more birdies through the 10th at the Aloha Golf Club.
“I didn’t make too many mistakes and my course management was good,” Westwood said. “I’ve got one eye on the Masters … and nothing beats winning for confidence.”
Danny Willett and Jan-Are Larsen were tied for second at 66.
Willett, a top-ranked amateur who received an invitation to play, had two eagles on his first seven holes. He opened on the back nine and eagled the 10th, and then hit a 4 iron to three feet on the 16th.
“I was quite nervous for my first European Tour event,” the 20-year-old said. “The eagle took a lot of first-hole nerves away and relieved the pressure.”
Matthew Millar (67) was two strokes behind in fourth, and five players were tied at 68, including teenager Rory McIlory. Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who was playing in his first tournament after a nine-month layoff because of injury problems, shot a 71.
