World number one Lee Westwood will this week compete in the World Match Play Championship, looking to stamp a marker down ahead of the opening major of the year in April. By the time the US Masters comes around, Westwood will be hoping to be on a decent run of form as he desperately attempts to lift his first major and truly announce himself as the world's best player.
Westwood hasn't been given any favours in the Match Play tournament following the withdrawal of Toru Taniguchi with a neck injury; the Englishman's opening match will now be against former winner and world number 65 Henrik Stenson. The 2007 champion is something of a match-play expert and will fancy his chances in the tie.
The Swede has been a shadow of his former self following a mystery illness and is only just rediscovering his form. Stenson will still prove to be a tough opening test for Westwood and one which could very easily spring a surprise on the world number one. Stenson reached the semi-final stage last year before losing to eventual winner Tiger Woods.
Westwood will be out to build up momentum heading into Augusta, where he came so close to success last year. Phil Mickelson took the title last April, three shots ahead of Westwood in second and the Englishman will be hoping to go one step further this year and the US Masters odds suggest he has every chance of doing so.
The Englishman's record at Augusta before his second place finish last year had been far from impressive, with only one top 10 finish in 10 appearances at the tournament. Last year's performance will give Westwood confidence that he can handle the tough course and the 37-year-old will be one of the favourites in the Masters odds heading into the tournament.
Westwood will be behind leading favourites Tiger Woods and last year's champion Mickelson, who have seven Masters titles behind them. The American duo will be strongly backed but Westwood will be part of a European challenge, with Martin Kaymer, Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey to name but three.
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