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Lee Westwood has played in a record 11 Ryder Cups for Europe, but his status for a 12th or future captaincy appears to be in doubt.
© Reuters via USA TODAY Sports
NORTH PLAINS, Ore. – Among the many possible unknowns to participate in the LIV Golf Invitational Series is how it will affect a player’s future participation as a Ryder Cup player, captain or both.
LIV Golf signatories have been suspended indefinitely by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour has fined its members for competing in the first event outside of London three weeks ago. They will also reportedly be fined for playing here the tournament that starts Thursday at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.
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But those with a long history with the biennial event are aware of the possible ramifications, and don’t think there should be any.
“Why should I be threatened?” said England’s Lee Westwood, who played in his 11th Ryder Cup, which tied a European record, last September at Whistling Straits. “I’ve been playing Ryder Cup golf since 1997, and the criteria has been to be a member of the European Tour. Now, the criteria to be a member of the European Tour is to play four events. Why should they change that now?
“I have been a member of the PGA Tour and still played four events on the PGA Tour, and why would the European Tour change its rules so drastically because another tour doesn’t like it or feels financially threatened? There is too much protection for my taste and no transparency.
“I think as long as you meet the criteria to be a member of the European Tour, then you should still have a chance to try and qualify for the Ryder Cup team.”
Westwood is one of several LIV entrants with a Ryder Cup history. He joined Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Bernd Weisberger on the European team last fall. Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka played for the Americans.
Also participating in the second LIV event are Phil Mickelson, who served as the US assistant captain, as well as Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer, who were European assistants.
American Patrick Reed was not part of Team USA last fall but played in the 2014, 2016 and 2018 games.
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“Obviously I love to play the Ryder Cups,” said Martin Kaymer, the two-time Grand Slam winner who in 2012 par-putted on the 18th hole to cap a dramatic European comeback that clinched the Cup in Medinah. “I would love to play for Sergio or Lee one day. That’s the way it is. Obviously we didn’t know what the penalties would turn into one day, but if you ask me if I would do the same, I would do the same.” choice, absolutely, because I believe in the whole vision that LIV Golf offers for the game of golf and for us players”.
Westwood turned down the chance to be the 2023 European captain, saying he wanted to make an effort to play for one more team.
Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, is the most successful European Ryder Cup player in terms of wins (25) and points (28 ½), having played in 10 Ryder Cups since 1999.
Like Westwood, he would apparently be a lock for a future captaincy if the LIV cloud didn’t exist.
American players like Reed could be left out. He gave up his PGA Tour membership and players can only earn points through PGA Tour events. Others who have not resigned have been suspended. The question remains of whether or not a player can get a captain’s pick, though being a member of the PGA of America, which comes with PGA Tour membership, could be a sticking point.
For European players, there is less clarity. No suspensions have been applied. There are still questions about whether they can compete in future European Tour events. And the question of the Ryder Cup arises.
“Obviously (we) hoped it wouldn’t change,” Garcia said. “We still hope it doesn’t affect him.
“At the end of the day, I did this for a variety of reasons. I did it because I think this is the future of golf, I think it’s a great opportunity.
“I hope he still has a chance to be a part of a few more Ryder Cup teams, but that’s not going to be up to us right now. We will keep our fingers crossed.”
Henrik Stenson has been named European captain for 2023. The Swede remains linked to LIV Golf, although he has not been part of the first two events and there is no indication that he will actually make the leap later this year.
What if it does? That will also be interesting to see how it plays out.