Lee Westwood has addressed his fears about being banned from the Ryder Cup, after joining up with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series. The inaugural event of the controversial breakaway circuit kicks off this week at the Centurion Club in St Albans.
One man who will be there competing is Westwood, after the Englishman’s name was included on the entry list last week. Those who have pledged their allegiance to the series have seemingly put both their PGA Tour and Ryder Cup careers on the line, with bans threatened to those who compete.
Westwood - who competed in 11 Ryder Cups - had been hotly tipped to be a future captain for the European’s, however this could now be in doubt following his LIV Golf commitment.
Discussing the matter at Centurion on Wednesday the 25-time DP World Tour winner said: “It’s something I have to take into account [a Ryder Cup ban], I’m not sure about the playing days, I’m 50 next April. Captaincy could be in jeopardy as well, but Ian pretty much covered it all.
“What I will say is that myself and Ian [Poulter] have been members of the PGA Tour while we’ve been on the European Tour and that’s had no effect in the past on whether people have been captains. LIV Golf is another tour so why should it be any different?”
As mentioned Westwood was joined by fellow Englishman, and Ryder Cup stalwart Poulter - who has also linked up with the Saudi-backed Series. Poulter is recognised as arguably one of Europe’s greatest ever stars, and bode’s a remarkable Ryder Cup legacy following some remarkable performances in recent years.
Like Westwood, Poulter is also uncertain on whether his Ryder Cup journey may well be over. He commented: “We don't know [if they are putting Ryder Cup futures in jeopardy]. I'd like to think it wouldn't, all the golf I've played around the world in all the different countries and tours I don't see why this should be any different.
What do you make of Lee Westwood's decision? Let us know in the comments section below?
“It's an unknown risk, we don't know how DP World Tour will view it, it's obviously a factor." One other star who has put their Ryder Cup career on the line is American star Dustin Johnson, who stole all the headlines at Centurion when dramatically confirming his resignation from the PGA Tour on Tuesday.
Despite the concerns, the 2020 Masters champion is hoping he will still be able to turn out for his nation against the European’s despite his LIV Golf commitments. He said: “The Ryder Cup is unbelievable and something that has definitely meant a lot to me, and I'm proud to say that I've played and represented my country, and hopefully I'll get a chance to do that again, but I don't make the rules. I chose what's best for me and my family."
