Westwood prepares for Ryder Cup

Edited by Anand Datla (Source: International Sports Management)

September 4, 2014: Lee Westwood is passionate about wearing Ryder Cup colours. The experienced Brit underlined his commitment to the event by deciding to fly across the ocean to hone his game at the Wales Open. The event is scheduled to be played between 18th and 21st September at the Celtic Manor Resort. It will serve as an ideal preparation for Westwood, who is set to appear in his ninth Ryder Cup for Europe.

As soon as Paul McGinley announced Westwood as one of his wildcards, the Florida based golfer confirmed his intent to participate at the ISPS Handa Wales Open. The Englishman is based in Florida and spends most of his time on the PGA Tour. “I can’t remember the last time I was as excited as I am now about playing in a regular Tour event,” said Westwood in a statement issued by his management company. “The ISPS Handa Wales Open had always been in the back of my mind as long as I made the team and now that I have, that’s where I’ll be. It’s going to be a great week and perfect preparation.”

Westwood believes captain Paul McGinley has done a magnificent job ensuring that the same Celtic Manor course that hosted the 2010 match is as close as possible to what his European team can expect when they arrive in Gleneagles the following week. “From everything I know and heard, it’s going to be the ideal place to be and play the week before the Ryder Cup,” he said.

“Paul’s attention to detail will ensure we are all perfectly prepared wherever we are coming from, but I’m thrilled that Wales will be my starting point.” The 41-year-old also believes the galleries at Celtic Manor will give the players a taste of what to expect at Gleneagles. “The Welsh crowd is very knowledgeable and also very vocal in its support,” he said. “The 2010 event was played in atrocious conditions, but I have never heard so much noise from so many drenched people in my life.

“Hopefully we’ll get a bit of sunshine this time, but whatever the weather, I know I’m going to enjoy myself and hopefully head further north with another win in the bag and ready for anything the Americans can throw at us.”

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