Sawt Falasteen - Westwood rolls back years on British Open return

The 52-year-old is playing at a major championship for the first time since the 2022 British Open at St Andrews, after slipping down the world rankings following his switch to LIV Golf.

Westwood, widely regarded as one of the best players never to win a major, opted not to attempt to qualify for the last two editions of the tournament.

But he came through a qualifier at Dundonald Links in Scotland earlier this month and made the most of it in the opening round, at one point being tied for the lead at four under par.

"That's part of the reason why I tried to qualify," said Westwood when asked about his love for Portrush, where he finished tied-fourth in 2019 -- the last of his 19 major top-10 finishes.

"I love the Open Championship and I love Portrush, I've been coming here for a long time.

"Portrush is one of the courses that if it wasn't the Open and somebody said 'Do you want to play Portrush this weekend', I'd probably go and there's not many courses like that."

Westwood reached four-under through 13 holes before slipping back with two bogeys as the rain started to pour in Northern Ireland.

"I'd prefer not to get soaking wet," he said.

"I was asked yesterday whether I'd rather have wind or rain and I said wind for sure, so somebody heard me, didn't they, and we had a bit of everything."

Westwood would become the oldest ever major champion with an improbable victory this weekend.

The holder of that record, Phil Mickelson, also belied his 55 years with a one-under 70 on Thursday.

"Oh yeah, can't beat seeing your name up there on a Thursday," Westwood said ironically when asked if seeing his name on the leaderboards got his competitive juices flowing.

"We can talk again if it's still up there on Sunday...

"Links golf more than any other golf I think gives you a chance when you're our age."

Westwood is currently 45th on the LIV Golf standings and has not played any tournament that offers world ranking points since 2023.

But he is now in a strong position to at least make the cut at a major for the 71st time in his 92nd appearance.

"This is the best I've seen him (Westwood) hit it in the last few years. Hopefully he stays up there, the old boy," said 2022 champion Cameron Smith.

U.Shaheen--SF-PST