Westwood rules out captaincy at 2023 Ryder Cup
Lee Westwood has taken himself out of the reckoning to be Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain, deciding instead to continue concentrating on his playing career.
Westwood, 48, was considered a certainty to succeed Padraig Harrington and assume the reins for the 2023 match in Rome, where Europe will attempt to win back the trophy that they lost by a record score in Wisconsin two months ago.
Yet having become the oldest player to qualify for a Ryder Cup team by right and having remained in the elite since his revival from struggling outside the world’s top 100 in 2018, Westwood still has his eye on individual titles.
The Worksop veteran is world No38, with only six other Europeans above him in the rankings, and it is eminently feasible that he could make a record 12th appearance in the Italian capital.
Europe has only ever appointed two golfers as captain while they were still in the world’s top 50 – and Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer saw their playing status fall dramatically by the time they made their opening ceremony speeches.
“It is not a decision I’ve taken lightly as it would be a huge honour to captain Europe and it is something I’d love to do one day,” Westwood said. “But it’s almost a full-time job, and that is something I can’t commit to while I’m in the top 50 and still competitive. The Ryder Cup is very close to my heart and I would only take on the role if I believe I could give it 100 per cent.”
The captaincy focus will now fall on Luke Donald and Henrik Stenson. It is understood that both have already expressed their interest. Graeme Mcdowell, Robert Karlsson and Thomas Bjorn are possibilities.