Westwood Admits he was Wrong About McIlroy

Lee Westwood has admitted he has been forced to eat humble pie after previously doubting US Open Champion Rory McIlroy's ability to win a Major.

Westwood told the press that despite a substantial lead, he didn't believe McIlroy had the mental toughness to handle the pressure and said he wouldn't be surprised if his fellow Ryder Cup star crumpled under the expectation.

McIlroy had previously blown a four shot final round lead at the Masters in April but hit back at the doubters to shoot a solid final round of 69 at Congressional to maintain his eight shot lead and seal his first Major victory. Those following the 2011 The Open golf betting will wonder if he can go on to make it two Majors in a row.

Westwood finished toe championship in joint third alongside Americans Kevin Chappell and Robert Garrigus as well as 2009 USPGA Championship, Korean Y.E. Yang on six-under par, an astonishing ten shots behind the champion.

The result means Westwood has now finished in the top three in three out of the last seven Majors but is still on the lookout for his Major triumph after a number of near misses.

Westwood would have returned to World Number one if he'd won at Congressional and now heads to the Open Championship at Royal St George's knowing he has the form to break his duck and write his name into the history books. The Open betting will put him in with a massive chance.

Many in the game believe it is only a matter of time before the 3-year-old wins one of the big ones and after his previously criticising McIlroy, he applauded the youngster's performance as well as bigging up his own chances for next month's Open.

"Well done to him - it's tough to win a major and it's probably even tougher to win it like that," Westwood said.

"I'll be looking forward to the Open Championship now. Finally I've got my game in good shape."