Westwood hails McIlroy triumph

Lee Westwood, who now has five top-three finishes in his last seven majors, joined the tributes to stable-mate Rory McIlroy last night.

The 38-year-old was only two shots away from regaining the world number one spot off Luke Donald, but in joint third place at the US Open he was 10 shots behind the unstoppable McIlroy.

“You shoot 75 the first day it’s going to be tough to get into from there,” said Westwood, who climbed 81 places in the final three rounds and yet did not make up a single stroke on the winner.

“Well done to him – it’s tough to win a major and it’s probably even tougher to win it like that (from the front every day).

“He shot 62 around Quail Hollow, a US Open-type golf course, to win last year. He’s been knocking on the door.

“It’s amazing he’s only ever won three tournaments the amount of time he gets into contention.

“Maybe this will give him that impetus to go forward and win more often.

“But listen, I hit it great this week and I finished tied third in a major, so that shows the level my game is at.

“I’ll be looking forward to the Open Championship now. Finally I’ve got my game in good shape.”

Westwood has been third and second in the last two Opens, was runner-up in last year’s Masters and also third in the 2008 US Open and 2009 US PGA.