Westwood turns to Tiger's coach

Just as Paul Lawrie credited coach Adam Hunter with the putting tip that helped him win over half a million pounds in the Dunhill Links Championship, it was revealed today that Lee Westwood may seek help from Tiger Woods' mentor, Butch Harmon.

The top stars may cut solitary figures on the fairways and the greens, but having a coach by their side on the practice range has never been more important. That was confirmed by Lawrie's first win since the 1999 Open at Carnoustie.

The 32-year-old Scot had been struggling to find his putting stroke for over two years. But during the Links tournament Hunter advised Lawrie to change his style to a short backswing and long followthrough.

That adjustment, coupled with a new Odyssey putter, brought an immediate improvement. But the most dramatic demonstration of Lawrie's progress was saved for the last hole on the Old Course at St Andrews, where he needed a birdie three to avoid a play-off with Ernie Els. Having seen his approach spin back off the green and down into the Valley of Sin, Lawrie merely thought about saving par when he putted on a curving 60ft path to the pin.

But he gave a little jig of delight as the shot found the cup to complete a round of four-under-par 68 and a tournament total of an 18-under 270. The first prize of £560,000 promotes Lawrie from 33rd to eighth in the Volvo European Order of Merit, and from a position outside the world's top 100 to 59th in the latest rankings.

Westwood, who missed the cut at St Andrews, is going the other way. The reigning European No 1 is now 50th in the Order of Merit, and the winner of seven tournaments last season has crashed from fifth to 25th in the world rankings.

In a bid to recover some semblance of form he has now ended his long-term partnership with coach Pete Cowen and is receiving advice from Bob Torrance, 70-year-old father of Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance.

But Westwood could also consult with Harmon when he travels to play against Woods in his invitational tournament in California in December.