THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Lee Westwood hurt his right ankle again but decided to play on at the Dunhill Links Championship on Thursday with the world No. 1 ranking in sight.
Westwood damaged the joint when he slipped on a steep slope by the 7th tee at Kingsbarns but still completed the first round by shooting 2-under 70.
“I felt a twinge and I panicked a bit,” he said. “I’ve had treatment and I’m going to play on.”
The Englishman ended a seven-week layoff for the ankle when he returned to action at the Ryder Cup last week, and though he was successful with Europe, Westwood was warned that if the ankle deteriorates he might have to take a complete break from golf for six months.
Westwood has a chance to replace Tiger Woods as No. 1 in the world on Nov. 1 if he finishes inside the top 20 at the Dunhill Links and next week when he defends his Portugal Masters title.
But the ankle was his bigger concern on Thursday.
“My main priority has to be to get myself and my golf in the best possible shape for the Masters next year,” he said.
“I made a mistake two months ago playing in the Bridgestone Invitational when it was not right. I should have rested after The Open at St. Andrews.
“Now it is a case of rehabbing and resting again.”