Oct 14: Lee Westwood has been rewarded for his recent renaissance by being named Asprey Golfer of the Month for September. Westwood was recognised for ending a three-year drought with victories in the BMW International Open in Munich at the end of August and at the Dunhill Links Championship the following month.
The 30-year-old Englishman captured the Dunhill Links title with a top-class display over three of the world's greatest links courses.
He fired a 21-under par total of 267 over Carnoustie, St Andrews, Kingsbarns and finally over the Old Course to finish one stroke ahead of Ernie Els of South Africa and win £490,346 in the process.
The week was made extra special for Westwood after he signed for a new course record of 62, 10 under par, at Kingsbarns in the third round, closing with the first albatross of his life at the 558-yard par five ninth hole.
Other candidates considered for the September award by the judging panel were Els, fellow South African Retief Goosen, and Vijay Singh of Fiji. Winners of the Asprey Golfer of the Month Awards for 2003 are: Ernie Els (January and February), Robert-Jan Derksen (March), Fredrik Jacobson (April), Paul Casey (May), Philip Golding (June), Phillip Price (July) and Darren Clarke (August).
The award is presented to a European Tour Member each month from January to November for his performances on The European Tour International Schedule and in worldwide competition.
At the end of the season, the Panel will select the Asprey Golfer of the Year.
Bureau Report