Lee WestwoodAndrew Redington
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - Lee Westwood hurt his right ankle again but decided to play on Thursday at the Dunhill Links Championship with the world No. 1 ranking in sight.
Westwood aggravated the injury when he slipped on a steep slope by the seventh tee at Kingsbarns, but went on to complete the first round in 2-under 70.
"I felt a twinge and I panicked a bit," he said. "I've had treatment and I'm going to play on."
The Englishman took a seven-week layoff to rest the ankle, returning to action last week to help Europe regain the Ryder Cup. Westwood has been warned that if his ankle deteriorates he might have to take a complete break from golf for six months.
He has a chance to replace Tiger Woods as No. 1 in the world on Nov. 1 if he finishes inside the top 20 at the Dunhill Links and next week when he defends his Portugal Masters title.
But the ankle was his bigger concern on Thursday.
"My main priority has to be to get myself and my golf in the best possible shape for the Masters next year," he said.
"I made a mistake two months ago playing in the Bridgestone Invitational when it was not right. I should have rested after The Open at St. Andrews.
Martin Laird, returning to his native Scotland, shot a 6-under 66 to grab a four way tie for first place.
Also playing on the Kingsbarns course, Laird had a bogey-free round to leave him tied with Dutchman Maarten Lafeber, who was playing Carnoustie while Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark both played St. Andrews.
The event is played over three courses.
Nine members of last week's victorious Ryder Cup team are in action this week including captain Colin Montgomerie, who finished at even par.
Martin Kaymer shot 4-under 68 and was two strokes better than Westwood. Graeme McDowell was also at 2-under while Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington were 1-under for the day.
Francesco Molinari was at even par while brother Edoardo was 1-over and Peter Hanson finished at 2-over.
John Daly, playing in only his third European Tour event this year, shot a 3-over 75 on the Kingsbarns course. He is scheduled top play St. Andrews on Friday.
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