Westwood hoping Masters will get season back in swing
LEE Westwood is optimistic the Betfred British Masters will go ahead at Close House in July as scheduled.
Westwood will again host the tournament at the Newcastle course, which is scheduled to be the first European Tour event since the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation or postponement of 17 competitions.
The former world number one, the club’s touring professional, revealed preparations for the event from July 30-August 2 were on track.
He said: “We are all ready to welcome everybody for the British Masters in July.
“The course is already in fantastic condition, as you would expect.
“They have had seven or eight weeks without any play so the green staff have been able to do some good work.
“I have seen a massive change in the condition of the greens since the weather got better.
“Hopefully it will be a great tournament and a great way to start off the season again. I am sure everybody is keen to see some live golf.”
The PGA Tour is planning a June return but Westwood has decided to focus on the European circuit due to quarantine regulations.
European Tour bosses are considering hosting several consecutive events in the United Kingdom to ease travel difficulties in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.
Westwood is on course to qualify for September’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits but the biennial showpiece may yet be moved, Rory McIlroy the latest player to call for a postponement.
However, Westwood admitted he is keen to take over from Padraig
Harrington as Europe’s captain for the 2022 edition in Italy.
He added: “I would love to be captain in Italy or some other time.
“By Italy I will be nearly 50 and that will probably be the right time but I am sure there are other people who want the captaincy as well.”