The Scotsman

Westwood resumes bid to play in 11th Ryder Cup

- By PHIL CASEY

Lee Westwood believes the European Ryder Cup team is still in its "infancy" as he resumes his bid to qualify for a record-equalling 11th appearance in the event.

Westwood's victory in last year's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championsh­ip helped him occupy one of the automatic places in the team before the qualifying race was suspended as golf shut down due to the coronaviru­s pandemic.

With the Ryder Cup then delayed until September 2021, the race was further postponed until January 1 and the European Points List resumes this week in Abu Dhabi.

However, all points earned between January 1 and May 9 will be multiplied by 1.5 and those earned from May 10 until the end of qualifying at the BMW PGA Championsh­ip on September 12 will be doubled.

The top four players from the European Points List and the five leading players from the World Points List will qualify automatica­lly, with Europe captain Padraig Harrington then announcing his three wild cards for the contest at Whistling Straits.

"I've not had a look at the make-up of the team," said European No 1 Westwood, who would equal the record of Sir Nick Faldo if he makes the team for the 11th time.

"There's not really any point, it's still in its infancy when you look at how weighted the points system is.

"I know I'm in the team at the moment, I haven't really looked at who is filling the other spots.

"I'm sure come the final event there will be a good balance to the European team as there always is.”

 ??  ?? 0 Lee Westwood: Could equal Nick Faldo’s record
0 Lee Westwood: Could equal Nick Faldo’s record

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