Westwood’s 62 is the lowest official round in Nedbank Golf Challenge history
on December 4, 2011
Lee Westwood
In the middle of one of the greatest rounds in Nedbank Golf Challenge history, Lee Westwood turned his attention to an equally great plate of stir fry. Westwood’s championship record of 10-under-par 62 in the third round was one of the historic moments in the 31-year history of this event. He started his round with three birdies in his first four holes, made three birdies over the turn from the ninth, and then went on a run of four consecutive birdies from the 14th. It has given the Englishman a convincing seven-stroke lead at 16 under par going into Sunday’s final round.
Such was Westwood’s confidence on the Saturday that the weather delay of an hour-and-a-half had no impact on him at all. In fact, it seemed to inspire him. He was three under and on the eighth tee when the siren sounded. “What crossed my mind when the siren sounded? I thought it was a good time for lunch,” he said of the interruption. “They do a great stir fry in the Player’s Lounge. I was three under when I went in for lunch and shot seven under when I came back out. I was just trying to stay in my own little world and keep hitting good shots.”
Westwood’s 62 is the lowest official round in Nedbank Golf Challenge history. In 2001, Padraig Harrington posted a 61 in the third round. But the round did not count as an official record as there was placing on the fairways. And a host of players have carded rounds of 63, including Nick Watney in 2009, Henrik Stenson in 2008, Ernie Els in 2002 and Sergio Garcia in 2001 (again, Garcia’s round also did not count as an official record because of placing that year). On Sunday Westwood has the chance to add his name to another bit of Nedbank Golf Challenge history.
He can become only the sixth player in 31 years to successfully defend his title. Seve Ballesteros was the first to do so in 1983 and 1984, followed by David Frost, Nick Price, Ernie Els and Jim Furyk.
