Lee John Westwood is a highly successful English professional golfer known for his remarkable consistency. He is one of the few golfers to have won tournaments on five continents, demonstrating his global impact on the sport. Westwood's career spans four decades, with victories in the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s, a testament to his enduring talent. He has been named European Tour Golfer of the Year four times and has won the European Tour Order of Merit three times. Despite his impressive record, Westwood is often referred to as one of the best golfers without a major championship win, although he has come close on several occasions, finishing as runner-up three times.
April 1973: Lee Westwood is Born
Lee John Westwood OBE was born in April 1973.
August 1989: Westwood Represents England in Boys Home Internationals
Westwood's golfing journey saw him representing England in the Boys Home Internationals in August 1989.
1990: Westwood Competes in Jacques Léglise Trophy
Westwood played for Great Britain and Ireland boys team in the Jacques Léglise Trophy in 1990.
1991: Westwood Wins Peter McEvoy Trophy and Competes in Jacques Léglise Trophy Again
Westwood's amateur career saw him winning the Peter McEvoy Trophy and representing Great Britain and Ireland in the Jacques Léglise Trophy again in 1991.
1993: Westwood Wins British Youths Open Amateur Championship and Turns Professional
In 1993, Westwood won the British Youths Open Amateur Championship, a significant victory before turning professional.
1994: Nick Faldo Holds World Number One Ranking
In 1994, Nick Faldo held the number one world ranking in golf.
1996: 1996 Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters Shortened
The 1996 Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters, a notable golf tournament, had to be shortened to 54 holes due to fog, impacting the regular course of play.
1996: Westwood Wins First Professional Tournament
Westwood's professional career took off in 1996 with his first win at the Volvo Scandinavian Masters, followed by the Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters in Japan.
1997: Westwood's Continued Success and Ryder Cup Debut
Westwood continued his winning streak in 1997, defending his Japanese title, winning the Malaysian Open, Volvo Masters, and Holden Australian Open. He also made his Ryder Cup debut alongside Nick Faldo.
1997: 1997 Volvo Masters Shortened Due to Weather
In 1997, the Volvo Masters, a significant golf tournament, had to be shortened to 54 holes instead of the regular 72 holes due to unfavorable weather conditions.
1997: Westwood Debuts at Ryder Cup Alongside Nick Faldo
Lee Westwood made his Ryder Cup debut in 1997, partnering with Nick Faldo.
July 1998: Westwood Breaks into Top 10 of World Golf Rankings
In July 1998, Lee Westwood entered the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time.
1998: Westwood Named European Tour Golfer of the Year
In 1998, Westwood was named European Tour Golfer of the Year.
January 1999: Marriage to Laurae Coltart
In January 1999, Lee Westwood married Laurae Coltart, who is the sister of Scottish Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart.
1999: Westwood Teams Up with Darren Clarke at Ryder Cup
In the 1999 Ryder Cup, Lee Westwood partnered with Darren Clarke, securing two points.
2000: Westwood's Most Successful Year
2000 marked Westwood's most successful year, with seven tournament wins worldwide and becoming the first golfer to win on all six International Federation of PGA Tours.
2000: Westwood Wins European Tour Order of Merit
In 2000, Westwood won the European Tour Order of Merit, marking a high point in his career.
2000: Westwood Wins Dimension Data Pro-Am at Gary Player Country Club
Lee Westwood won the Dimension Data Pro-Am at the Gary Player Country Club in 2000.
August 2001: Westwood's First Stint in Top 10 of World Golf Rankings Ends
Lee Westwood's first period within the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking concluded in August 2001.
2001: Westwood Takes a Break and Restructures His Swing
Westwood took a break from golf after his son's birth in 2001 and restructured his swing under David Leadbetter's guidance.
2002: Westwood and Sergio García Form Successful Partnership at Ryder Cup
At the 2002 Ryder Cup held at The Belfry, Lee Westwood and Sergio García teamed up successfully, winning three out of four matches.
2002: Westwood Drops Out of Top 100 World Golf Rankings
Lee Westwood fell out of the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking in mid-2002.
2003: Westwood Returns to Top 100 World Golf Rankings
Lee Westwood rejoined the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking in late 2003.
2003: Westwood Returns to Winning Ways
Westwood returned to the winner's circle in 2003 with a victory in Germany.
2004: Westwood Secures Winning Putt for Europe at Ryder Cup
Lee Westwood sank the decisive putt that ensured Europe retained the Ryder Cup in 2004, marking his first singles victory in the event.
2005: Ernie Els Achieves Westwood's Feat
Ernie Els replicated Westwood's accomplishment of winning on all six International Federation of PGA Tours in 2005.
April 2006: Co-ownership of Private Jet
In April 2006, Lee Westwood entered into a co-ownership agreement for a private jet with fellow golfer and friend Darren Clarke, further solidifying their bond.
2006: Westwood Remains Undefeated at Ryder Cup
As a wildcard selection for the 2006 Ryder Cup, Lee Westwood maintained an undefeated record, a feat he had also accomplished in 2004.
2007: Honorary Doctorate and Golf School Launch
Lee Westwood received an Honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Nottingham Trent University in 2007, recognizing his contributions to the world of golf. That same year, he established the Lee Westwood Golf School, which provides aspiring young golfers with the opportunity to blend their golf training with their education.
2007: Westwood Returns to the Winners Circle
Westwood made a comeback in 2007, winning the Valle Romano Open de Andalucía and Quinn Direct British Masters, returning to the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
2008: Ryder Cup Controversy and Loss
In 2008, Lee Westwood faced a controversial decision by captain Nick Faldo, resulting in him sitting out the first session of his Ryder Cup career. The European team went on to lose the tournament to the U.S. with a score of 16½–11½.
2008: Westwood's Strong Form and Near Miss at the U.S. Open
Westwood continued his strong form in 2008, achieving high finishes and narrowly missing a victory at the U.S. Open.
2009: Westwood Wins Race to Dubai
In 2009, Westwood won the Race to Dubai, further solidifying his place as a top golfer.
October 2010: Westwood Becomes World Number One Golfer
On 31 October 2010, Lee Westwood reached the pinnacle of golf, becoming the world's number one ranked golfer and ending Tiger Woods's reign.
October 2010: Nottingham Trent University Honors
In October 2010, Nottingham Trent University bestowed further honors upon Lee Westwood. The university named its sports hall after the accomplished golfer, solidifying his legacy at the institution.
October 2010: Ryder Cup Victory
In October 2010, Lee Westwood was part of the European team that emerged victorious in the Ryder Cup, securing a narrow one-point win over the USA.
October 2010: Westwood Becomes World Number One Golfer
In October 2010, Lee Westwood reached the pinnacle of his career by becoming the world number one golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking, taking over from Tiger Woods.
2010: Westwood's Second-Place Finishes and Injury
In 2010, Westwood had strong performances in major championships, securing second place at the Masters Tournament and the Open Championship. However, an injury prevented him from competing in the PGA Championship.
2010: Westwood Leads 2010 Masters Going into Final Round but Loses to Phil Mickelson
In 2010, Lee Westwood led the Masters Tournament going into the final round but ultimately lost to Phil Mickelson.
2010: Westwood Wins at Gary Player Country Club
Lee Westwood won a tournament at the Gary Player Country Club in 2010.
April 2011: Westwood Regains World Number One Ranking
Lee Westwood reclaimed the number one spot in the world golf rankings after winning the Indonesian Masters on 24 April 2011.
May 2011: Westwood Loses Playoff at BMW PGA Championship
In May 2011, Westwood lost in a playoff against Luke Donald at the BMW PGA Championship.
June 2011: Westwood Ties for Third at U.S. Open
Westwood tied for third place at the U.S. Open in June 2011.
2011: Westwood Wins at Gary Player Country Club
Lee Westwood won a tournament at the Gary Player Country Club in 2011.
2011: Appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport of golf, Lee Westwood was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours.
February 2012: Westwood Achieves Best Performance at WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship
In February 2012, Westwood reached the semi-finals of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, his best performance in the tournament.
April 2012: Westwood's Continued Success: Tied Third at the Masters and Indonesian Masters Victory
Westwood had a successful April in 2012, finishing tied for third at the Masters and defending his title at the Indonesian Masters.
June 2012: Westwood Wins Nordea Masters for Third Time
In June 2012, Westwood secured his 22nd European Tour victory at the Nordea Masters, solidifying his position as one of the leading golfers on the tour.
2012: Westwood's U.S. Open Challenge Falters After Unfortunate Double Bogey
At the 2012 U.S. Open, Lee Westwood was in contention after three rounds. However, during the final round on 2012, a lost ball in a tree on the fifth hole led to a double bogey, ending his challenge. He finished tied for 10th.
2012: Ryder Cup Victory at Medinah
Lee Westwood contributed to the European team's victory at the 2012 Ryder Cup held at Medinah Country Club, where they defeated the USA.
2013: Westwood Finishes Third at the Open Championship, Marking Second Time Leading a Major Going into Final Round
In the 2013 Open Championship, Lee Westwood led after 54 holes but finished tied for third after a final round of 75. This marked the second time he led a major going into the final round, the first being the 2010 Masters.
2013: Westwood's Last Top Finish at Open Championship Before 2019
Lee Westwood's tied for fourth finish at the 2019 Open Championship was his best result in the tournament since 2013.
2014: Ryder Cup Victory at Gleneagles
In 2014, Lee Westwood was once again part of the winning European team at the Ryder Cup. They secured victory at Gleneagles, marking another triumph in Westwood's Ryder Cup career.
2014: Westwood Wins Malaysian Open
Lee Westwood won the Malaysian Open in 2014.
April 2015: Westwood Wins Indonesian Masters for Third Time, Clinching Ninth Asian Tour Victory
In April 2015, Lee Westwood won the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters for the third time, defeating Chapchai Nirat in a playoff. This marked his ninth victory on the Asian Tour.
2016: Ryder Cup Loss under Clarke's Captaincy
In 2016, Lee Westwood participated in the Ryder Cup under the captaincy of his friend Darren Clarke. However, this time the European team experienced a loss, marking the first time since 2008 that Westwood was part of a losing Ryder Cup team.
2016: Westwood's Last Top PGA Tour Finish Before 2021
Lee Westwood's second-place finish at The Players Championship in 2021 was his best result on the PGA Tour since tying for second at the 2016 Masters.
2016: Westwood Finishes Joint Runner-Up at the Masters, Marking Third Time as Runner-Up in a Major
Lee Westwood finished as joint runner-up with Jordan Spieth at the 2016 Masters, three strokes behind winner Danny Willett. This was his third time finishing as runner-up in a major championship.
November 2017: Westwood Expresses Interest in Golf Course Design After Retirement
In November 2017, Lee Westwood revealed his aspirations to pursue golf course design post-retirement, aiming to create "more playable and enjoyable" courses.
2017: Justin Rose Joins the Elite Club
In 2017, Justin Rose became the third golfer to win on all six International Federation of PGA Tours, joining Westwood and Ernie Els.
2017: Divorce and Move to Europe
In 2017, Lee Westwood and his wife, Laurae Coltart, divorced. Following the divorce, Westwood relocated from his residence in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, back to Europe, settling in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.
November 2018: Westwood Wins Nedbank Golf Challenge, Claiming 24th European Tour Victory and First Rolex Series Title
Lee Westwood won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in November 2018, securing his 24th European Tour victory and his first since the 2014 Malaysian Open. This was also his first Rolex Series title and third victory at Gary Player Country Club.
2018: Appointment as Ryder Cup Vice-Captain
Thomas Bjørn selected Lee Westwood as one of his five vice-captains for the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National. This marked a new chapter in Westwood's Ryder Cup journey as he took on a leadership role.
July 2019: Westwood Ties for Fourth at Open Championship, Securing Spot in 2020 Masters
Lee Westwood finished tied for fourth at the 2019 Open Championship, marking his 12th top-five finish in a major. This earned him entry into the 2020 Masters Tournament.
2020: Westwood Qualifies for and Competes in the Masters Tournament
Lee Westwood qualified for and competed in the 2020 Masters Tournament after his performance at the 2019 Open Championship.
2020: Westwood Achieves European Tour Golfer of the Year and Race to Dubai Titles
Westwood's success continued into 2020, where he was named European Tour Golfer of the Year and won the Race to Dubai.
March 2021: Westwood Finishes Second at Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship
In March 2021, Lee Westwood led the Arnold Palmer Invitational after 54 holes but finished second to Bryson DeChambeau. The following week, he again held the 54-hole lead at The Players Championship, finishing second to Justin Thomas.
June 2021: Marriage to Helen Storey
Following his divorce from Laurae Coltart, Lee Westwood married Helen Storey in Las Vegas in June 2021. Helen Storey also caddies for Westwood on tour.
September 2021: Ryder Cup Appearance at Whistling Straits
Lee Westwood was part of the European team for the 2021 Ryder Cup held at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. While the U.S. team won the overall tournament with a score of 19–9, Westwood did secure a win in his Sunday singles match against Harris English.
2021: Westwood Sets Record for Most Major Appearances Without a Win at the Open Championship
At the 2021 Open Championship, Lee Westwood surpassed Jay Haas for the most major championship appearances without a win, marking his 88th major.
April 2023: Westwood Turns 50, Becomes Eligible for Senior Golf, and is Denied Entry to Senior Open Championship
Lee Westwood turned 50 in April 2023, making him eligible for senior golf. He applied for the 2023 Senior Open Championship but was denied entry in June due to unpaid fines to the European Tour.
May 2023: Westwood Resigns from European Tour
Lee Westwood resigned from the European Tour in May 2023.