Westwood backs young rival to make an impact

A recurring calf problem has forced the 37-year-old out of this week's US PGA Championship in which 22-year-old Willett makes his major debut.

Sheffield's Willett plays his golf at Rotherham Golf Club, which is not too far from the Worksop course where Westwood honed his skills.

And, after some impressive performances since turning professional in 2008 – most notably at Wentworth at the European Tour's own PGA Championship – the two-time European No 1 believes, with the right temperament, Willett can go all the way.

"I haven't played with Danny on Tour yet but he looks a good player," said Westwood.

"I know him to talk to and he hits the ball really well.

"What you see is what you get with Danny. I think he is still a bit rough round the edges but there is certainly plenty there to work with and improve.

"He played well at the PGA this year. He really got into it and played well for a few rounds and experiences like that will be good for him.

"He's a very confident lad and he looks like he has got the game. I would say he is one for the next few years and the future.

"There's such a fine line that separates being on Tour to being really good and you never know if those players have really got it until they break through."

Tiger Woods last night suffered his worst tournament finish as a professional but still held onto his position as world No 1.

With Woods finishing joint 78th in the 80-man field after a closing round of 77, Phil Mickelson knew he needed to finish fourth or better to move top of the world rankings.

The US Masters champion was joint 10th overnight and four shots off the lead, but endured a nightmare front nine of 41 to snuff out his chances of ending Woods's five-year reign.

After finding a greenside bunker in two on the par-five second, Mickelson surprisingly thinned his recovery well over the green to run up a bogey six.

Worse was to come with a hat-trick of bogeys from the sixth followed by a double bogey six on the ninth, while yet more dropped shots on the 12th and 13th left Mickelson eight over par for the day and down in 47th place.

At three over par he was 14 shots off the lead shared by American duo Hunter Mahan and Sean O'Hair, who had played 10 and seven holes respectively.

Earlier in the day, Woods had carded three birdies, six bogeys and two double bogeys.