Westwood blasts tour over Ryder Cup rules

LEE WESTWOOD yesterday criticised the European tour for the rule which has led to Jesper Parnevik counting himself out of the Ryder Cup in September. And the Swede may not be alone.

Parnevik, a member of the last three sides, has become the first US tour-based European to say he will not commit himself to 11 European tour events this season and is therefore ineligible for the team even as a wild card.

To the relief of captain Bernhard Langer, Sergio Garcia, Alex Cejka and Fredrik Jacobson have confirmed they will meet the criteria, but England's Luke Donald and Parnevik's compatriot Carl Pettersson have doubts and have until the end of this month to decide.

Westwood thinks it wrong they have been put in such a position.

"Last time I checked, the Ryder Cup was between Europeans and Americans, not the European tour and the US PGA tour," said Westwood.

"If you ask Jesper where he is from he will say Sweden, while Luke Donald considers himself English, plays out of England and has an English flag on his bag.

"He has always set out his stall to play on the US tour.

"Why should he be penalised for doing that and living his dream and not being able to play in the Ryder Cup?"