Posted By: Chris Garrett ·
FJ player Lee Westwood has been named European Tour Golfer of the Year following a momentous season which culminated in him winning the inaugural Race to Dubai and being crowned Europe’s Number One golfer for the second time in his career.
Westwood, who relied on the new FJ ICON golf shoes and new PureTouch Limited glove since both were introduced earlier this year, won twice on the European Tour, at the Portugal Masters and the Dubai World Championship and climbed to a career-best number four in the Official World Golf Ranking. His final round 8-under 64 in Dubai is considered by some to be one of the greatest final rounds in European Tour history.
Westwood's level of consistency, particularly over the second half of the season, was also something to behold as he recorded 11 top ten finishes from his 13 events after the US Open. His victory in the Portugal Masters was his 30th title worldwide.
The 36 year old Englishman has been named The European Tour Golfer of the Year on two previous occasions, in 1998 and 2000, and becomes only the fourth three-time winner.
Westwood said: “It is a fantastic honour to win The European Tour Golfer of the Year and cap a wonderful season for me and all those who have helped me get to this position.
“I have won this award twice before but this probably means more to me in recognising how I have fought my way back to the top. When I last finished Number One in 2000 it was special as I won six events and the World Match Play that year. But to then drop completely into obscurity and come back from that, get back into the World’s top five and crown it all by winning the Dubai World Championship and the first Race to Dubai means a lot."
Posted By: Chris Garrett ·
Lee Westwood ended more than two years without a title by capturing the Portugal Masters by two shots. Wearing the new FJ ICON golf shoe and PureTouch Limited glove from FootJoy, Westwood closed with a 6-under 66 on Sunday and finished with a 23-under 265 total for his 30th career win.
Westwood came out hot, converting birdies on his first four holes but it was his final birdie at the 17th hole that sealed the victory. Westwood went long and left at the 589 yard 17th and although he was able to take a free drop he still faced a tricky shot.
"All I could see was trees (right in front of him) and water (over the green) - and I had a really tight lie," he added.
However, from around 30 yards he almost holed it, tapped in for birdie and had his two shot lead that he would take the clubhouse.
In addition to getting back to his winning ways, Westwood also takes over the lead in the European Tour's Race to Dubai, passing fellow FJ ICON fan Rory McIlroy, and climbs back into the top five of the world golf rankings, a goal of his since 2007.