Woosnam pleased with Westwood form

European captain Ian Woosnam welcomed Lee Westwood’s return to top form as the race for Ryder Cup places gathers momentum.

Westwood carded a course record 63 in the first round of the Deutsche Bank Players’ Championship in Hamburg to take a one-shot lead over world number five Retief Goosen and Swede Robert Karlsson.

Westwood is currently outside the top 30 in the cup standings with just five weeks remaining after this before the team is finalised, but could move as high as 12th with victory and the £420,000 (€615,000) first prize on Sunday.

“It’s good, he’s been playing some decent stuff the last few weeks,” said Woosnam, himself just two off the lead after a 65 containing nine birdies and a double bogey. “If he keeps playing like that….I want people on form.”

That will be music to Westwood’s ears after he conceded he could still have to rely on a wild card to make the team to defend the trophy at the K Club from September 22-24.

“My main objective is to play my way into the side and if I do that, that would be great,” said the 33-year-old, joint top points scorer with team-mate Sergio Garcia in Europe’s record victory at Oakland Hills in 2004.

“If I don’t hopefully I’ll play well enough and Woosie will look at me and think ‘yeah, he’s starting to play some good golf.’

“Hopefully he looks at my record and thinks ‘he won around that course a couple of times and we could do with him on the team.’

“I’m trying to push my case for a pick but I’m actually trying to play my way in there rather than rely on somebody picking me.”

Woosnam completed his 65 after a delay of two hours and 35 minutes due to an afternoon thunderstorm, and was thrilled with his performance on the greens, so often his Achilles heel.

“I’m very delighted. I played well but that’s the best I’ve putted for 10 years,” said the 48-year-old Welshman.

“Putting well makes a big difference in my game. If I don’t hole anything I’m shooting 75 so it’s nice to hole a few putts.”