ABERDEEN STANDARD INVESTMENTS SCOTTISH OPEN

July 8, 2021

Lee Westwood

The Renaissance Club

Quick Quotes

Q. 65, how pleased are you?

LEE WESTWOOD: Very, really pleased. I didn't play a lot the last couple weeks in here. I had a pretty good rest. I played nine holes a couple of times with Sam. We had a little game. And I felt pretty fresh. Played yesterday, and just got a feel for the golf course again. I played it a lot when I lived in Edinburgh a few years ago, they were kind enough to make me an honorary member here and I came and practiced a lot, and the guys are kind to me and have looked after me. I know the golf course really well.

So I read the greens pretty well here, and that was the kind of day it was out there today. You're going to have a lot of chances. You've got to make your fair share. Obviously not all of them are going to go in, so you can't get too frustrated.

First round last year, I shot 9-under par. Almost get confidence from that but try and ignore it, as well. Don't have a total in your mind because you're never quite sure. I felt the pins were pretty tricky today, obviously as tough as they can get and not a lot of wind, so you'd expect fairly low scores. I'm happy with 65, 6-under par and it's a good score to build on for the rest of the week.

Q. Given the quality of the field, not putting yourself out of the tournament, but it's important to get off to a good start, isn't it?

LEE WESTWOOD: Regardless of the feel, it's important to get a good start to any tournament. You want to get off it a positive start, see the ball going in. You know, feel your swing, in good positions and see good shots coming from that. The first day is probably the most important day of the week.

Q. Your demeanor, you don't seem to get too annoyed; is that important? Because occasionally you may get a bad bounce but that's links golf, isn't it?

LEE WESTWOOD: Yeah, that is links golf. You get some bad bounces, you get some good bounces. You get some bad lies and you get some good lies in the rough. It's just a game, isn't it. I've been out here too long to get stressed out about what happens on the golf course anymore.

Q. Was there any stress last night watching the football? Who did you watch it with and tell us about the enjoyment you had?

LEE WESTWOOD: Not really. I was pretty confident the lads were going to win. I've said all along, we've got the best squad in the tournament, so the further you go in the tournament and the longer matches go, when they go into extra time, it's got to benefit England because they can just keep bringing on quality players.

Yeah, it's great for them and the team that's behind them and great for the country, as well. It gives everybody a good feeling that I'm sure everybody needs with the tough times everybody has been through recently.