Lee Westwood leder The Masters efter en rond på -5, ett slag före Louis Oosthuizen och Peter Hanson. Här nedan är delar av vad Lee sa på sin presskonferens efter avslutad rond.
I wonder if you can speak to the hole locations?
– Billy had sent me a text, because he had walked around the golf course saying that the pins were tough. He used slightly more flowery language than that, but we’ll stick to tough. (Laughter).
So I knew it was a day for patience where 20 feet, 25 feet under a lot of holes was going to be good. And this course gives you a chance if it’s soft, but it also takes a bit away because it plays longer when it’s soft
As you acknowledged a minute ago, you’ve had so many chances in majors the last few years, a lot of top threes. What did you learn from that in terms of what separates being in contention and winning a tournament like this?
– Well, you know, when you’re in contention and you don’t finish it off, you then go home and you assess what you did wrong and where you can improve. So that’s what I did.
And what did you sort of learn?
– Just the areas of the game that I felt let me down, but not necessarily major championships. I do that after every tournament. It’s the only sensible thing to do if you want to improve. You go home and strengthen your weaknesses; hopefully retain your strengths.
You know, so it just seems like common sense to me, and that’s always something I try and do.
Do you allow yourself to think about sort of legacy and how you’ll be remembered? You’re obviously one of the best players in the world, but if you are able to win a major, it changes how people maybe remember you ten, 15, 20 years from now. Does that matter at all to you?
– Not really, no. I prefer people to remember me as the person I am rather than the golfer. Obviously if I sit down at the end of my career and there’s no major championship wins, I’ll be disappointed. If there’s five, six, I’ll be delighted. But you know, at the end of the day, that won’t actually change that much, will it. It will be, you know, the impression I’ve had on people and whether I’ve basically gone away having done more good than bad.
What would be the best weather for you tonight overnight?
– It’s not something that I ever think about. I’m not bothered. As a golfer, it’s not like playing snooker where you’re indoor and everything is controlled; or tennis where it’s pretty much controlled. We have to adapt all the time to different conditions, so it really doesn’t make any difference.
Hopefully it’s just the same for everybody and everybody has to contend with the same thing
You’ve had a number of celebrity guests staying with you this week and they seemed to be supporting you throughout the day, including two who were with you in the Par 3. Does that help take your mind offit during the rally?
– I have been spending most of my time with my dad and Steve MacGregor, the trainer, in my house. They’re staying in other places, you know, and Dad caddied in the Par 3 and had a great time. They are keen golfers. It’s like Disneyland for adults, this place. You can’t wipe the smiles off their faces, as it is for the golfers, as well. They are having a good time, but it’s serious stuff for me and I sort of try to keep myself away from the golf course.
Who are the celebs? I don’t know the U.K. TV stars. Can you tell us dumb Americans who these guys are and why‑‑
– Facey will tell you. He’ll fill you in.
No, I won’t. (Laughter).
Lee Westwood -(Laughing).
/ Göran Söderqvist, SwGT
