Lee Westwood has assembled all the pieces needed to win a cherished major and put the 'whole package' on show again at the US$1 million Thailand Golf Championship yesterday.
Westwood called his 11-shot lead 'outrageous', caddie Billy Foster said his boss was 'frighteningly good' and the fat lady was already singing at the Amata Spring Country Club. The world No3 followed up his opening-day, 12-under-par 60 with an equally brilliant eight-under 64 in tougher conditions to make a one-horse race of the Asian Tour season finale.
Only this year's Masters winner, Charl Schwartzel, and unknown US PGA Tour player Michael Thompson made any late headway, both shooting six-under-par 66 to share second at nine under. John Daly (73) dropped to fourth at six under.
'That's outrageous,' Westwood said of the lead that was 14 shots over Daly when he completed his round. 'This is the biggest lead I've ever had. And I'm a notoriously slow starter, but it's not over until the fat lady sings.'
Westwood headed to the gym after his round as he adds muscle to the machine that has produced 36 professional victories but with one glaring omission - a major championship.
He was twice runner-up last year - in the Masters and the British Open - and says he has found the formula to give it an even better shot next year.