Thai success will do wonders for Westwood

It was a landmark victory for Lee Westwood last week with the 40th individual win of his professional career.

That is exceptional by anyone’s standards. And don’t be fooled by thinking that the Thailand Open was a minor event.

Yes, it was a bit under the radar, but Lee had to hold off the challenge of Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia to take the title.

He must wish a Major could be played in Asia though, as that was his 13th victory on that continent.

The courses in that part of the world suit his game perfectly, as they place a strong emphasis on long, straight driving, and keeping out of the thick, tropical rough.

That is Lee’s forte and was a big reason why Paul McGinley chose him ahead of Luke Donald for the Ryder Cup.

Everyone talks about Lee’s short game but because of the grainy greens in Asia, there is not such an emphasis on it like there is on the PGA Tour.

Winning in Thailand will transform how Lee feels about 2014. He may have struggled at times in Europe and America, but he had two tournaments wins and they are always welcome.

Plus, that success will do wonders for his confidence in 2015. His ranking has also jumped from 46 to 26 and he now won’t begin the New Year looking over his shoulder worrying about keeping his place in the top 50.

There will be no Ryder Cup distractions and he can have a good crack at the PGA Tour and, more importantly, the Majors.

Lee is already a great player. But having that elusive Major on his CV would do so much for how he will be regarded in the future.

He has already come so close and it’s more that other players have won Majors rather than him losing them.

At 41, he is certainly not too old, and he should take inspiration from Tom Kite and Mark O’Meara.

They were both serial winners, although they had won fewer than half the events that Lee has, but they made that Major breakthrough in their 40s.

The family is now settled in Florida, Billy Foster is back on the bag and Mike Walker, a protg of Lee’s former coach Pete Cowen, is looking after his swing.

After this win, he’ll be keen to make a strong start to the New Year because everything is in place for Lee to have a big impact in 2015.

Hopefully that might include a Major success.