Westwood gives McGinley a lift

Lee Westwood matched his best round in a Major and gave Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley a boost as he took an early share of the first-round PGA Championship lead with American Kevin Chappell at Valhalla last night.

With world No 1 and Open champion Rory McIlroy one of the last to start the final Major of the year yesterday in Kentucky, early starter Westwood made the most of his opportunity to throw down the gauntlet to the tournament favourite from Holywood.

Englishman Westwood carded a five-under-par 65 for his opening round, his best single round score in the US PGA Championship in his 17th appearance and matching the 65 he shot in the third round of the 2011 US Open at Congressional Country Club.