Sport Book Service | Lee Westwood stalls at US Open after comparing himself to a Rolls Royce

LEE WESTWOOD stalled in the US Openjust 24 hours after comparing himself with a Rolls Royce.

The ex-world no1gave himself a great chance of finally ending his majors hoodoo by taking the lead at -5 after four good openingbut heended the round -1.

Lee Westwood of England plays his shot from the first tee during the continuation of the second round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club and made a great start to the dayCredit: Getty Images

On Friday, after an impressive day following annoying rain delays that frustrated other players, Westwood was in a jovial mood.

When asked how he played so well in stop-start conditions, he said: I Rolls Royce-it a lot of the time now. Ill go and play golf when Im at home on a Saturday morning or a Sunday morning.

I dont hit any balls to warm up. So now when were not hitting balls, I dont stiffen up or anything like that. Being the finely tuned athlete I am, you wouldnt expect that, would you?

Westwood was in fine form on Friday and in a fun mood but that changed halfway round the Oakmont course on day three when he stalledCredit: Getty Images

Lee Westwood hits out of a bunker on the 8th hole during the continuation of the second round of the U.S. OpenCredit: Usa Today Sports

Lee Westwood of England watches his tee shot on the fifth hole during the continuation of the second round of the U.S. Open at OakmontCredit: Getty Images

Lee Westwood of England reacts on the ninth green during the continuation of the second round of the U.S. Open at OakmontCredit: Getty Images

However he was left looking more like a Fiat Panda as he tanked it around the mid-holes and left him clinging on in his 73^rd attempt at claiming one of the games top prizes.

The Yorkshireman started the third day at Oakmont three under, poised behind Dustin Johnson and Andrew Landry at the top of the leaderboard.

And the former world No1 went -4 after the first with a birdie to start the thankfullydry day.

The Worksop man took the lead on the fourth with another birdie and hit the fairway for the fifth consecutive hole on the fifth before ending on par.

But five bogies between the sixth and eleventh left his latest quest for his debut majorin major need of repair.

His mid-card nightmare improved with two pars and a birdie between holes 15 and 17.

And he finished the day on a high with a quality drive onto the green on the final hole and a smooth putt to end the round one under.