Philip Reidtalks to a player whose recent victory in the Andalucian Open has given the Irish Open at Adare Manor a timely boost

Lee Westwood yesterday eyed the newly-crafted Waterford Crystal trophy on display in the lobby of the clubhouse at Adare Manor. He was impressed.

"I don't want to just get close to that, I want to hold it," said the Englishman, who was able to send his six-year-old son, Sam, off to school on Monday last with a slightly smaller, bronze trophy following his overdue win last weekend in the Andalucian Open.

If he were to win the Irish Open, his son would require a crane and some helpers to lift the trophy.

One thing is for sure, Westwood's victory in Spain has given the Irish Open a much-needed and timely fillip - and, given his track record, where he has tended to win in streaks, he will be more than hopeful of carrying on the momentum to a long, tough course that will test the mental strength as much as the shot-making of the players.

Now back into the world's top 50 - in 48th place - after that win in Andalcuia, the 17th victory of his career on the European Tour but first in four years, Westwood will be chasing a first Irish Open title.

He's a confidence player. "When I've won before, I've gone on to win a couple . . . I've never had a problem refocusing after a win, never really found winning draining."

Westwood is one of only two players from the world's top-50 playing, however. Padraig Harrington, ranked 12th, is - naturally enough - also in the field and, like it or not, installed as everyone's favourite.

For Westwood, though, the lack of strength in the field compare to years past is disappointing. "The Irish Open is one of the most prestigious national titles in Europe to win. I've played a lot of them over the years, and they're always played in front of enthusiastic crowds on great golf courses. I didn't play last year but that was to do with scheduling in the States and conflicting dates.

"It is a bit of a shame the field is not as strong as normal, but I suppose with last week's TPC, many players have chosen to take this week off. Still, it is a very difficult tournament to win as the strength in depth on the European Tour now is so strong and is getting deeper."

Westwood's absence from the winner's circle for the past four seasons was something of a mystery, given his ability in the past to close out tournaments once he got into contention.

"Hopefully, it is a sign of things to come. I've always had confidence in my ability to finish the tournament off if I got into position. It's very rare that I've ever backed off. It is good to putt well under pressure and to feel comfortable. Making a few putts changes your whole outlook."

If there has been an Achilles heel in recent years, it has been the putter. "There's a certain technique involved in putting. If you don't hit the ball squarely, it is not going to go in and if you keep missing from three feet, you've no confidence at all."

For this week, Westwood has decided to take only four of the 162 putters that line the walls of his garage to Adare. But he will be sticking with the one that served him so well last week. The other three are mere comforts. "I think that putter deserves a stay of execution," he said.