Westwood crashes off leaderboard

A last-hole double bogey sent Lee Westwood crashing off the leaderboard when the US Tour’s Zurich Classic began in the hurricane-recovering city of New Orleans.

Westwood was going well on his return to the English Turn course where he won in 1998 until he went from fairway bunker into water at the 471-yard 18th.

The six left the Worksop golfer with a one under par 71, five behind early clubhouse leaders Lucas Glover, Jeff Sluman, Olin Browne, Tommy Armour, nick Watney and Robert Garrigus.

Phil Mickelson, making his first appearance since winning the Masters and pledging to donate his winnings to the area’s disaster fund, was two under par after sinking an 18-foot birdie putt on the ninth.

Padraig Harrington, playing with the American star, reached three under, but then bogeyed the ninth after driving into sand.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell did turn at three under, however, while Ian Poulter was two under after eight and Justin Rose recovered from an opening triple bogey seven, grabbing an eagle on the 11th to stand level par.