Lee Westwood started his senior debut Thursday with an eagle at the US Senior Open.
Westwood opened with a 3-wood from 268 yards to 10 feet on the par-5. He made the putt and then added four more birdies, along with two bogeys, for a 4-under 66 at Newport Country Club.
The 51-year-old Englishman is three points behind the early leader in Rhode Island.
Westwood, a LIV golfer, is in the field because of criteria that include members of the five most recent Ryder Cup competitions. He has never won in 29 LIV events – and has not gone winless since January 2020 – but he is coming off his best career finish in the Saudi-funded competition, a solo third in Nashville.
And while this will be his second straight week of competition, Westwood isn’t worried about the opportunity to play 72 holes (LIV events are 54 holes without a cut and without long pants).
“I think I can handle it. Playing in pants bothers me more,” said Westwood, who is known as much for his humor as his success, especially in the Ryder Cup and on the European tour, where he won 25 times.
“No, I’m a finely trained athlete… You know, that’s bullshit; 72 holes is no problem. Like I said, it’s looking down and seeing my legs in pants. I’d rather have my legs out.”
