Golf-I almost quit during slump, says new European No 1 Westwood

By Norman Dabell

DUBAI, Nov 23 (Reuters) - New European number one Lee Westwood said he almost quit golf during a demoralising slump in form earlier in the decade.

"I've been through a lot in the last eight, nine years," the Briton told reporters after winning the season-ending Dubai World Championship by six strokes on Sunday to finish top of the European Tour money-list.

"I know what it's like to play poorly. I was ready to give up the game when I shot an 81 (in the first round of the 2001 Great North Open) at Slaley Hall (in England) and missed the cut." After winning six times to finish top of the order of merit in 2000, Westwood plummeted to 246th in the world rankings two years later.

"I certainly turned up to tournaments with low expectations," said the 36-year-old.

"I'm incredibly proud to be European number one again. The whole weekend (in Dubai) was my best ever. I stuck it out on the last two days under what was going to be the most severest of pressure," he said after finishing with an eight-under 64.

Westwood, back in the world's top four for the first time in eight years, said maturity was responsible for his return to the top of the European money list.

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