Westwood Trophy field looks to profit from twice winner Joe Dean’s absence

Lee Westwood Trophy winner Joe Dean with then Rotherham GC lady captain Evelyn Callard (Picture: Driving Golf PR).

SHEFFIELD’S Joe Dean is not going for a hat-trick of victories in the prestigious Lee Westwood Trophy, which got underway at Rotherham GC today.

The new English champion, from Lindrick GC, is away on international duty in County Antrim, Ireland as he competes in the Home Internationals at Royal Portrush.

So too is last year’s runner-up, Meltham GC’s Jamie Bower, but the event - being staged for the 11th year - still has a full field of 141 players.

Its elite cast list includes top players not only from the region, but also from as far afield as Sweden, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, France and Jersey.

Dean set a tournament record last year to retain the trophy, leading from wire to wire in the 72-hole world-ranking event.

His record score of 266 was one shot lower than the previous best set by Gary Wolstenholme in 2008.

The competition, officially known as the Rotherham Golf Club Open Stroke play Championship, is one of the region’s major highlights of the golfing season.