Lee Westwood starts well despite putting issues

Lee Westwood began his quest to regain the world No 1 spot with a four-under 68 in the Indonesian Masters yesterday despite grappling with a belly putter.

It could be a memorable 38th birthday on Sunday for the Briton, who will top the rankings if he lifts the title and compatriot Luke Donald fails to win at the Heritage tournament in South Carolina.

The Englishman boosted his prospects by firing five birdies and a lone bogey at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club for a share of eighth, two strokes behind Bangladesh's Siddikur Rahman.

"I'll let things take their course and see what happens at the end of the week. Like I said before, I'm here to win a golf tournament," he said.

Westwood, who was world No 1 for 17 weeks until German Martin Kaymer replaced him in February, has struggled with his short game, finishing tied 11th at the US Masters this month, and reckoned the problem was not yet over.

"I played solidly but I was a bit frustrated out there. It has been the story for me so far, hitting it great from tee to green and giving myself a lot of chances but not taking them," he said.

Westwood, who swapped his short putter for a longer one at Augusta National, said that he was still getting used to the belly putter.

"I've used the belly putter in two rounds at Augusta and it's the first time I'm using it here since 2004 so it needs some getting used to," he explained. "I'm playing well and confident of familiarising myself on the golf course."

The day belonged to Siddikur, who claimed to be overawed after being drawn with Westwood but showed no signs of it by firing a 66 to grab the opening round lead.