West: I'm glad all the Chilean miners got out

Unlike the rescued 33 copper miners some 150 miles away to the north, there would be no happy ending for Eric West on his return to the Tour de las Americas in Chile last week.

The XL sponsored professional golfer endured a horrendous final round of the $40,000 Sport Frances Open in Santiago.

West (296) carded eight bogeys and a double at the par three 16th that put paid to any hope of finishing in the top half of the field.

The 26-year-old former Port Royal head pro completed the 72–hole event in a three-way tie for 31st at eight over for the tournament — some 25 shots adrift of winner Jose Manuel Carrido of Columbia.

Yet, despite his final round meltdown, West put a positive spin on his recent showing in Chile, where the rescue of 33 trapped miners has grabbed national headlines all week.

He said: “I would sum it up as a decent start to my road trip. I made the cut, which was positive and other than the back nine of my fourth round, I played pretty solid golf. I left many shots out there during the first three rounds, but that’s golf sometimes.”

Cooler conditions and firm greens made West’s task all the more daunting.

He said: “Course conditions were tough. I had played the course before in 2008 in a Canadian Tour event, but it was much colder weather this time.

“The greens are really small and extremely firm, so your approach shots had to be accurate. Because of this I was playing to the middle of the green most of the time, which was part of the reason I did not make many birdies.”

West now hopes his fortunes take a turn for the better at this week’s Internacional de Golf Haciendo Chicureo Copa BCI event — also in Chile.

He said: “I feel good and I’m hoping to be better mentally and make better decisions under pressure. Every year I get better and I’m confident that if I put in the work I will continue to mature as a player and a person.”

As for the rescue of the miners that kept millions around the world glued to their television sets, West said: “Sixty-seven days down there is a long time. I am glad they all made it out okay.”