I almost retired during slump, says Westwood

DUBAI: New European No 1 Lee Westwood said he almost quit golf during a demoralizing slump in form earlier in the decade.

"I've been through a lot in the past eight, nine years," the Briton said after winning the season-ending Dubai World Championship by six strokes on Sunday to finish top of the European Tour money-list.

"I know what it's like to play poorly. I was ready to give up the game when I shot an 81 (in the first round of the 2001 Great North Open) at Slaley Hall (in England) and missed the cut."