'As long as you fulfil criteria...' Westwood feels LIV Golf Series participants should be allowed in Ryder Cup
Lee Westwood feels LIV Golf Series participants can take part in Ryder Cup
There has been a lot of hullabaloo with regard to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series. Ever since the firstLIV Golf Invitational Seriesstarted on 9 June 2022, at the Centurion Club, near London, England, it has led to a widespread reaction in the golf fraternity.
The PGA Tour had announced thatits members who take part in LIV Golf events could be sanctioned for playing in a conflicting event sans the Tour's permission, leading to fines, suspensions, or bans. On 9 June, the PGA Tour made it clearthat its members participating in the inauguralLIV Golf tournament were not eligible to compete in tour events or the Presidents Cup. Since then, this has become a huge talking point.
Thus, Lee Westwood -- who isalso among manytop players to have signed up for the lucrative Saudi-backed circuit -- has shared his views when asked if the LIV series participants should be given a green signal to participate in the Ryder Cup. For the unversed, the team event isnot scheduled until September 2023. However, it remains unclear whether the players from the controversial series will be allowed to take part in the forthcoming edition of the premier tournament or not.
"Why should it be threatened? I've been playing Ryder Cup golf since 1997, and the criteria has been to be a member of the European Tour," Westwood said, addressing the DP World Tour by its former name. "Now, the criteria for being a member of the European Tour is to play four events. Why should they change that now?", he questioned as per a report in SkySport.
"I've been a member of the PGA TOUR and still played four events on the European Tour, and why would the European Tour change their rules so dramatically because another tour doesn't like it or feels financially threatened? There's just a bit too much protection going on for my liking and not enough transparency.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
)
Major relief for TN CM Vijay as wife Sangeetha withdraws infidelity and divorce petition
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Primetime trailer: Robert Pattinson channels Chris Hansen in A24's dark crime thriller
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
US loses 23,000 jobs in July as labour market slowdown deepens
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
)
Thailand teen killed grandparents before shooting teachers at school – What we know about suspect
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Pentagon releases new batch of 41 UFO files, including videos and images
)
Thailand: 14-year-old goes on rampage, kills grandparents, teachers & self | Gravitas
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
US Senate passes sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill targeting energy revenue
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
"I think as long as you fulfil the criteria to be a European Tour member, then you should still have the opportunity to try and qualify for the Ryder Cup team," added the 49-year-old veteran English professional golfer.
Westwood, who has made as many as 11 appearances in the Ryder Cup, also blamed the PGA and DP World Tours by stating that they could've been better in their communication with players regarding the sanctions imposed on them after joining theLIV Golf Tour.
Thus, it remains to be seen if the LIV series players will be allowed to appear in next year's Ryder Cup.