Lee Westwood notices improvement with swing at US PGA Championship

The Englishman claimed the early clubhouse lead at Valhalla, alongside American Kevin Chappell, after carding nine birdies on Thursday.

Westwood, a former world number one, has exhibited patchy form in recent months but a final round of 63 at last week's WGC Bridgestone Invitational suggested he was back to his best.

And the 41-year-old was delighted to carry that form into his opening round at the final major of the season.

"Last week was a big week for me," he said. "Going into last week, I felt like I turned the corner. I was starting to swing it a lot better.

"[But] that's no good unless you start converting it into low rounds. The first three rounds [at the Bridgestone Invitational] were frustrating, because I played a lot better than three over par.

"Then obviously I got it going the final day and shot 63. I tried to keep it low key in the practice rounds, carry that momentum through to the first round, which I've managed to do, made nine birdies.

"I played well, hit a lot of fairways, putted nicely, which you need to do if you are going to shoot a low score. I gave myself a lot of chances. All in all, there was no real weaknesses out there."

Co-leader Chappell, who completed a bogey-free round, added: "I guess I was in a good rhythm out there. I drove the ball well, hit a lot of greens and gave myself some opportunities.

"I was able to take advantage of it, something that hasn't happened a lot for me this year, but [I am] looking forward to building on today and moving forward."