Lee Westwood is proving himself as a real front runner these days as the build up to the summer majors begins.

While three of our four runners at the Players’ Championship fell at the second fence in Sawgrass, Lee led the field going into the last day.

It didn’t particularly surprise me because Lee is capable of that any time he tees up.  But it did actually surprise him because he never really had his best form at Ponte Vedra.

Nevertheless, despite his lack of sharpness finally catching up with him, a top 10 in such a high-profile event is not to be sneezed at... and further upward motion in the world rankings is close.  It’s also very pleasing to see, despite not being at all outspoken or garish in his dress sense, Lee becoming a firm favourite with American galleries.  He has earned that through sheer dent of performance... and the fact that he is a naturally, polite, pleasant and funny chap.

Elsewhere there were plenty of very encouraging signs from several of our younger players.  Most notably in Spain where both Dave Horsey and Chris Wood caused winner Fredrik Andersson Hed plenty of anxious moments as they ate into his six-shot lead.

Dave was just two back at the end in second place while Chris was among those another couple back tied fourth third.   I believe both will have a very successful summer.

Also starting to make an impression after a tough start to his professional career is former world number one amateur Scott Arnold.   The Australian is currently campaigning in Asia and had a very encouraging tied third in South Korea at the Maekyung Open.