JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The old adage isn’t true.
No. 2 doesn’t try harder.
At least Lee Westwood won’t at the PGA Championship this week.
The Englishman, ranked No. 2 in the world, thinks he has tried too hard to win his first major, so he’s using reverse psychology.
“Try to play the tournament like I don’t care, really,” Westwood said.
Westwood is 0 for 54 in major championships with finishes of T-3 or better in five of his last eight starts in the four biggest events.
“A lot more light-hearted, relaxed,” Westwood said of his approach this week.
Westwood seemed to be following the plan quite well in his news conference. Some of Westwood’s opinions:
On the possibility of a so-called “Chubby Slam,” reference to the stoutly built Chubby Chandler, his agent, whose clients have won all three majors this year: “I’m not impressed with his preparation. I’ve seen [Chubby] drinking a bit. He’s not been in the gym, haven’t seen him on the range yet. I wouldn’t hold out much hope for him. He doesn’t function well in the heat.”
On how much he can hoist in the dead lift in his rigorous workouts: “354 pounds, a Chubby and a quarter.”
On being labeled the best player who hasn’t won a major: “It’s good to be the best at something, I suppose.”