LEE Westwood is set to be offered the freedom of the District of Bassetlaw.

The council have called an extraordinary meeting at Retford Town Hall on Monday to discuss the granting of the highest honour of Bassetlaw Council to the 38-year-old Worksop world No.3.

They will discuss whether to confer the title of honorary freeman to Westwood and grant him Freedom of the District of Bassetlaw.

A council spokesman said: "The conferring of Honorary Freeman recognises the significant contribution an individual has made to the community and enables people of the district to take pride in that honour."

A further council meeting is due to held on March 20 to formally present the honour to Westwood.

Westwood was due to tee off today on the last leg of his month-long stint in the Middle East in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

The Notts golfer has twice been a runner-up at Emirates Golf Club, the most recent in 2010 when he lost a play-off to Miguel Angel Jiménez, but is aiming to go one better and cap a successful early-season spell.

Last week he was tied 12th at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, and the previous week he finished tied 17th in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, his first event of the season.

He said: "I've played better than I normally do at this time of the year.

"My short game is a little sharper than normal and the putting is quite nice. I'm starting to roll a few longer ones in.

"This is obviously a place I like playing. I love this golf course. It's a good test and you get what you deserve around it.

"It's usually in great condition and this year is any exception. It's a nice place to play early in the season.

"I practised here three weeks ago to get ready for Abu Dhabi and Qatar, so it's the last of a four-week trip. It's good to be back here and be competitive.

"They normally grow the rough up a little bit. And the greens are firm, so it puts a demand on hitting the fairways.

"It's a bit breezy out there, but there's nothing tricky about the fairways. They're pretty flat. I've always found it a fair golf course."

Westwood will have to contend with a strong field over the Majilis Course, including world No.2 Rory McIlroy, world No.4 Martin Kaymer and defending champion Alvaro Quiros.

However, he believes anyone can triumph, as shown by the fact the last four tournaments have been won by players further down the rankings in Paul Lawrie, Robert Rock and Branden Grace.

"I think it shows the strength of the European Tour," he said. "We're very strong right now.

"Robert has got a very good game and seems the kind of player that once he gets the knack of winning, he will win quite a bit.

"Paul is a Major champion, so that was no real shock as he putts well on grainy greens and plays well in the desert.

"He nearly won the Dubai World Championship last year. It seems some people's games are suited to desert golf, but the strength in depth on the European Tour at the moment is the main thing."

Westwood was due to tee off with Lawrie and Alexander Noren, while club-mate Mark Foster plays with Michael Hoey and George Coetzee.