Ryder Cup 2016: Lee Westwood will ensure Sir Nick Faldo is fully in the picture if he overtakes him as Europe’s top points scorer
LEE WESTWOOD will ensure Sir Nick Faldo is fully in the picture if he overtakes him as Europe’s top Ryder Cup points scorer.
Westy, who makes his tenth straight appearance next week at Hazeltine, has 23 points — with Faldo just two ahead.
He partnered his fellow Englishman when he won the 25th point at Valderrama in 1997 and received a special gift from Faldo.
Westwood, 43, said: “It would be ironic beating Nick after I helped him to the record.
“He sent me a framed picture after that and signed it ‘Thanks Lee for putting me in the record books’.
“It was a picture of me and him shaking hands on the 16th at Valderrama after we’d beaten Tiger Woods and Mark O’Meara.
“I’ve still got it in the room where I keep all my souvenirs and trophies — but if I go past Nick I might sign it and send it back!
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“I couldn’t have imagined then that I’d have a chance to go past him but it would be a great achievement.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say the record will be there at the back of my mind. It would be a huge bonus — one I would probably look back on later and enjoy more in the future.
“I’m only a half-point behind Monty too — I might send him an emoji if I pass him!”
Westwood said winning the Ryder Cup would mean more because of his friendship with Europe’s captain.
Darren Clarke gave him a wildcard for Hazeltine and Westwood said: “The first time I ever saw him was in the clubhouse at Portrush. He had just turned pro and I was playing there in the British amateur.
“He came waltzing in with his Titleist black waterproofs, his tan and his mullet/curly perm.
“What did I think? What do you imagine I was thinking — ‘WHAT is that?’.
“I don’t know why we get on. I guess he’s highly strung and I’m laid back, so we complement one another.
“The best match we played was against Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in 2004. Obviously beating those two made it even more special.
“It will never get more emotional than the first tee shot in 2006, when we paired up six weeks after Heather, his wife, had died of cancer.
“Hopefully, we can celebrate together again next Sunday.”
Frenchman Alexander Levy, 26, bagged a stunning 17 birdies in 35 holes to open up a six-shot lead in round two of a weather-hit Porsche European Open in Germany.