Westwood battling back after being hit by Covid

LEE WESTWOOD looked exhausted as he emerged from the recording area after signing for a second successive 69 that has left him well-placed at the halfway stage of the Dubai Desert Classic. His fatigue had little to do with the fact that his 49th birthday is coming up in April. ‘I really don’t feel like I’m getting much air into my lungs at the moment,’ admitted the Englishman, who is asthmatic. ‘Playing right now is draining.’ Westwood caught Covid last December and, with his underlying symptoms, is still feeling the effects. ‘Let’s just say I’m glad I’m vaccinated,’ he said. Now embarking on his 29th season on the European Tour, he is still comfortably ranked among the world’s top 50 and, on a beefed-up Emirates course where straight driving gets its reward, Westwood called upon his greatest strength over the years to get himself inside the top ten after two rounds. He sits five strokes behind the leader, South African Justin Harding, on 11 under. Tyrrell Hatton leads an impressive UK challenge, moving into second place on nine under following a 66. Tucked in behind him are Rory McIlroy and Richard Bland, with Westwood, Tommy Fleetwood, Sam Horsfield and defending champion Paul Casey a shot further back. Scott Jamieson, who led for three rounds in Abu Dhabi last week before falling away horribly in the final round, lies seven shots off the pace.