Westwood benefits from caddie's know-how

The BMW International Open title is the only one to elude Bernhard Langer in his native Germany but his long-time caddie has a chance to win it this weekend.

Langer and Pete Coleman ended their amazing 22-year partnership after the Open championship this year but the veteran bagman had no problem finding a new employer.

Lee Westwood was only too happy to secure Coleman’s services as he looked to rediscover the form which made him European number one in 2000 – and the 30-year-old has found Coleman even more useful in Munich.

“It’s my first time at this course but I’ve got Pete working for me now, who caddied for Bernhard for 22 years, so he’s been here a few times before and knew all the lines,” explained Westwood, whose rounds of 65 and 68 left him four shots off the lead of Robert Karlsson going into today’s third round.

“It’s nice to be in contention again, I haven’t been for quite a while. I’m looking forward to seeing my name on the leaderboard again and having a lie-in on Saturday for a change.”

Westwood has not won since his seven victories worldwide in 2000 which saw him end Colin Montgomerie’s seven-year reign as European number one, and has slumped from a high of fourth in the world to 215th.

But he has begun to see the benefits of working with David Leadbetter, and the renowned coach told him at the recent USPGA championship that his swing “looked as good as it ever has”.

Karlsson soared to the top of the leaderboard on the back of two eagles and also chipped in on the seventh for one of his five birdies as he prepared to defend his European Masters title in Switzerland next week.

Karlsson, who also won here in 1997, said: “You always have good feelings when you come back to a course where you have done well before but it’s too early to think about winning again.

“There is a little less rough than last year, which suits me perfectly. It’s set up for a long hitter and you have to play the par fives well. I think I’m 10 under for them so far.”

Karlsson leads by two shots from first round leader Raphael Jacquelin of France, who added a 69 to his opening 62 which had equalled the course record at Nord-Eichenried.

Another Swede, Irish Open runner-up Peter Hedblom, was a shot further back alongside England’s Gary Emerson who carded a second-round 68.