Westwood making all the right noises

Phil Mickelson has gone on the record to state that he sees Lee Westwood as his major rival when he defends his US Masters title at Augusta next month, something the Masters betting reflects. The tournament starts in less than two weeks, and the three-time winner spoke of the British golfer in glowing terms – while still making it clear he fears no one. Westwood, on the other hand – the man who came so close to beating the left-handed American at last year's tournament – is not making any predictions at this stage.

Speaking last month, the Nottinghamshire-based golfer spoke only of wanting to play his best every time he enters a competition, but knows only too well having risen to the rank of world No. 1 (albeit briefly – he only held the title for seventeen weeks) despite never having won a Major, that it's consistency rather than blowing hot and cold which improves your standing in the game in the long term.

"Obviously a goal this year would be to win a major but it's something that you can't control. You go into the week playing really well but, like I proved last year, someone plays that little bit better, pulls off the right shots at the right time, and you don't win. So the intention is just to peak for every time I play," he said.

And Westy – as he's affectionately known on the golfing circuit – is absolutely on the money with that attitude. Obviously he will have been desperately disappointed not to have come away with the green jacket following his heroics last year, but rather than letting his head drop after finishing second despite going into the final day's play with a one-shot lead, he carried on working on his game, and just a few months later officially rose to his No. 1 ranking. Anyone looking to bet on US Masters action will have to bear him in mind.

So what of his chances this year? He has certainly been in good form, and whilst the lack of a victory in a major on his CV will certainly be an irritant, it won't make his doubt his ability. He's good enough to win one, and last year at Augusta he so nearly showed it – this time out could well be his career-defining moment.