Lee Westwood was handed a bizarre penalty from a LIV Golf rules official in the second round in Riyadh on Friday, hampering his chances of winning a maiden title on the breakaway circuit. Westwood impressed in the opening round in Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening under the lights, carding a seven-under-par 65 to leave him in a tie for third and just three shots behind Adrian Meronk who led the way at the top. He would have been keen to kick on a day later, but was dealt a blow on the 16th.
Still within four shots of leader Meronk with three holes to play at Riyadh Golf Club, Westwood was relying on a steady finish down the final stretch to remain in contention come Saturday. Things did not go to plan off the tee though, as his first shot found the water hazard in a creek running down the 16th. What came next proved costly for the European veteran. He appeared to spot his ball in the water, as his caddie Mick Doran retrieved it with a club.
After some consideration, Westwood then took his penalty drop with the same ball before going on to play it. Having found the green, the Englishman then marked the ball before quickly realising it was not the one he had used off the tee, or the same make and mode, thus breaking the rules. Having taken a penalty stroke from the water, he was then handed another for using the incorrect ball and later tapped in for a frustrating double-bogey six. This saw him lose ground on Meronk, before things got worse for Westwood, who then made bogey at 17.
For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US. He eventually ended with a one-under 71 to leave him down in a tie for 11th at eight-under, eight back of the Polish star at the top. Whilst he may have ended his hopes of winning a first title on the LIV setup, there is still plenty to play for in the final round for Westwood. The Englishman and his Majesticks teammates will be hoping they can secure a podium finish in Saudi Arabia having failed to in their previous 30 LIV events. Having spent plenty of time in the top three throughout the opening two days, they enter the final round four shots back of Ripper GC in third.
Amid the volatility of the team scoring, Westwood and co will know four good rounds on Saturday will get them a huge chance of finally securing a top-three finish. Putting confidence into his team, the former PGA Tour star said this week: "I think we're all playing fairly well, obviously looking forward to the season ahead. "I know we didn't finish on the podium last year but we had some really good chances. Just bad finishes thefinal day.I think four scores to count is a big advantage to us. We're pretty consistent. Hopefully we'll keep this fun going. Weplayed well today. We're right up there.".
