An opening round of 68 saw Ping golfer Lee Westwood finish one shot off the lead on the first day of the British Masters.
The defending champion is one of five players on four under par after the first round at the Belfry, with Australian Marcus Fraser and Sweden''s Mikael Lungberg both shooting 67s to top the leaderboard.
Westwood told reporters that he is determined to mount a successful defence of his title, despite still feeling tired and jetlagged after returning from the Ryder Cup in Kentucky earlier this week.
"Today [during] the last four holes my legs were shot but I''m the defending champion and want to win here," the 35-year-old said.
"I enjoy playing here and it suits my game
This week means a lot to me," he added.
Westwood is also chasing top spot in the Order of Merit. Currently in fourth place, he is just over £380,000 behind leader Padraig Harrington.
Callaway''s Graeme McDowell, the only other member of the European Ryder Cup team taking part at The Belfry, hit a first round of 72.
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