Westwood has not won a tournament since the 2007 British Masters

Golfer Lee Westwood believes his efforts at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia bode well for next week's Matchplay Championship in Arizona.

The Worksop star placed joint seventh in Perth, three shots behind winner Danny Lee, despite claiming he was not at his best.

"I didn't hit it so good all week so to be in contention is great," said the world number 12.

"When my game isn't quite there I am still playable which pleases me most."

New Zealander Lee shot four birdies in the last six holes to post a 67 and win by a stroke from Brit Ross McGowan, Chilean Felipe Aguilar and Japan's Hiroyuki Fujita.

Westwood was well set after a fine opening-round 66 but carded a disappointing 73 in the second round.

I'm pleased with my short game - that is in good shape Lee Westwood

He carded an impressive 67 in the final round, including an eagle on the last, to finish tied for seventh, but it could have been much better had he not fired a double-bogey seven on the 10th.

But Westwood was upbeat ahead of the Accenture Matchplay Championship which gets underway at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain in Arizona on Wednesday.

"I'm pleased with my short game - that is in good shape I'm starting to see a few lines on the greens," said Westwood.

"There is no doubt good putting at the Matchplay tournament serves you well. If you can role in a few putts then it demoralises people.

"I think there is more luck in that tournament than any other. You can catch a guy on a really hot day, shoot seven under and lose and you can shoot level or over par and win," he added.

"There is a quite a bit of luck involved but Tiger Woods has won it a few times so it proves the best player in the world occasionally does win."

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