Lee Westwood’s calf worries the European Ryder Cup team
Lee Westwood’s calf injury is casting shadows of misfortune on the European Ryder team. With both the teams finalized and good to go, Lee’s calf is still not fit. Westwood suffered from a calf injury as he had a torn calf muscle that flared up during the French Open. He was forced to retreat from the WGC Bridgestone Invitational because of his calf. He also couldn’t compete in the US PGA Championship.
On one hand, Lee’s injury is bringing down the European teams morale and on the other hand it is boosting American spirit. According to Paul McGinley, one of European team’s vice captains, Westwood’s status is an unknown factor. It is still not clear whether world number three will be in a healthy position for the Ryder cup at Celtic Manor. McGinley said that a few months ago we were quite clear on favourites but circumstances have changed since the last two months. He does accept that the team has been hurt by Lee’s injury. Since Lee hasn’t participated since the open, the team has to wait and see how Westwood feels. This is a crucial setback for the European team.
Paul also feels that the American team has gotten stronger since the last few months where his own team has been facing hindrances such as Lee’s injury.
"He's our number one player so I think it's going to be a very close Ryder Cup,” said Paul McGinley.
Paul’s opinion is that the selection for the Ryder team should be after looking at the player’s performances in the European Tour. "My views are very strong," McGinley said. "We're a European team. We're a European Tour. And even though a lot of players are playing in America we have to draw the line. We need to finish the qualification for a European team on European soil.”
He says that it would be very odd to wait on the PGA tour in order to decide a European team. Also, Paul adds that they can stand on their own two feet and they can finish on their own terms instead of American terms.
Due to Westwood’s condition, there is a possibility that Montgomerie may go to Wales with a 13 man squad. Monty is 99 percent sure that Lee will be fit for Ryder cup. However if that one percent possibility happens, Colin wants to have an extra player. Montgomerie has given Westwood the deadline of Thursday of Ryder cup to see whether to bring in the substitute or not.
Lee has assured Montgomerie that he will be healthy for the Ryder cup. He says that injures happen and they heal in their own time as well. Europe’s No. One said that he has to be really patient over the last month or so since he hasn’t been playing any competitive golf. He has delivered an upbeat medical bulletin. During his rest, one concern was also his weight which started to increase. That, however, has been attended to with a nutritional diet and a training schedule.
In case Lee is incapable of playing what would now be his seventh Ryder cup, Justin Rose and Paul Casey are the hopeful candidates. Both Casey and Rose were brilliant on the PGA Tour this season. More chances are for Paul Casey, who was really disappointed in not being one of Captain Colin Montgomerie’s wildcard picks.
Looks like Casey’s Ryder dreams might not be over after all. Due to Westwood’s injury, if he is forced to withdraw, his position automatically goes to the next man on the world points qualifying list. At the moment, the position is occupied by Edoardo Molinari. Edoardo, however, is already on the team as he was chosen as one of the captain’s wildcard picks. Therefore, eyes are on Paul Casey who is number seven in the world ranking.
With the FedEx Cup final coming up, Colin Montgomerie is secretly pleased that some of his men did not make it to the Tour Championship. It’s a good thing because they will get some time off to get in shape for Ryder cup. Nine of the twelve members of the US Ryder team will be headed to Georgia for the Tour Championship, whereas only Luke Donald from the European team will play in the FedEx final.
It all really depends on how Lee Westwood’s calf heals. No one knows what will happen, but we hope whoever enters or leaves the European team, it makes the Ryder Cup all the more exciting.
Tags: