Ryde on time – Lee Westwood expects to be fully fit at Celtic Manor
In news to hearten European golf fans, Lee Westwood has confirmed he expects to be fully fit in time for the Ryder Cup next month.
In an interview with the Guardian yesterday, vice-captain Paul McGinley described the European No. 1 as an "unknown factor"; Westwood has been out of the game since withdrawing from the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in early August with a ruptured calf muscle.
But Westwood's manager, Andrew "Chubby" Chandler, told the Golf Channel television network yesterday that, "he will play 18 holes next Monday and is the fittest he's been all year."
If that wasn't persuasive enough, the 37-year-old himself told the Golf Channel: "I haven't had any pain for three weeks. I've made great progress. I'm pretty strong at the moment. I'd be fine playing in all five matches."
Westwood appears to be taking his recovery very seriously, also revealing: "I haven’t had a drink in four weeks. I’ve lost 12 pounds since the Open."
The Englishman started playing again a week and a half ago, and according to coach Pete Cowen, Westwood says he is "swinging better than I was before."
The world No. 4 is set to play his first 18 holes since the Bridgestone today, venturing to Lindrick golf club in Rotherham to tee it up. Next week he takes part in a two-day charity event in Scotland, and is even set to play 36 holes in a single day as the week progresses.
"I just want to replicate the Ryder Cup with two matches in one day," explained Westwood."I'm pretty strong at the moment. I’d be fine playing in all five matches."
Touching on possible partnerships for the European team, Westwood revealed: "I'm a big believer in not sending two rookies out together."
Last year's Race to Dubai winner also backed up his captain on the question of wildcard picks. Though many have questioned Colin Montgomerie's decision to take Padraig Harrington to Celtic Manor over Paul Casey, Westwood said: "I have sympathy for Paul. I'd be gutted too."
"But if you had a seven-footer on the last green, you’d have your money on Padraig because he’s done it so often."
Yesterday's suggestion that Westwood might not be ready to compete in the Ryder offered some faint hope to Casey of making the competition after all, as a replacement for Westwood. Such a development would seem a very remote possibility right now.
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