Exclusive – Jacklin: Westwood can’t afford slow start at US PGA

Tony Jacklin has warned Lee Westwood he won't stand a chance of clinching his maiden major title this week if he gets off to a sluggish start.

World number two Westwood is being tipped to break his major duck by triumphing at the US PGA Championship.

But Jacklin has warned his fellow Brit he must be on top form from the first tee if he is to come out on top at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

"There's a lot of competition and much of it is how you start,” the two-time major winner told talkSPORT.

“If Lee Westwood gets off to a good start, he gets mentally engaged, whereas if you shoot a 73 or 74 you've got to shoot another good round to get back in it.

“If you can put yourself in the frame early on and you’re a world player, as Westwood is, then you’re engaged and the sky is the limit after that

 “You can’t win in the first round but you can lose it and it’s very important, certainly in the first two rounds, to be up there near the top of the list.”