Westwood back to defend title, prep for U.S. Open

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Lee Westwood values defending a title. With the St. Jude Classic scheduled just before the U.S. Open, returning to the TPC Southwind course was a pretty easy decision.

Westwood said Wednesday that the St. Jude Classic was one of the first events that went onto his schedule. He is limited each year on the number of PGA events he can play since the Englishman gave up his U.S. membership in 2008.

But the world's No. 2 ranked golfer says he was pretty sure Memphis would be one of his three invites for 2011.

Westwood was ready to leave a year ago when advised to stick around. Robert Garrigus blew a three-stroke lead on the 72nd hole, and Westwood won his second PGA Tour title in a three-way playoff.