Golf: Westwood ready to return

After a week resting the repetitive strain injury in his left wrist, Lee Westwood has confirmed he will return to action in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland on Thursday.

Europe’s number one last year pulled out of the NEC World Championship in Akron after two rounds eight days ago.

An initial diagnosis raised the fear of ligament damage, which put a question mark over the 28-year-old playing in the Ryder Cup in four weeks’ time.

But on his return home Westwood saw a specialist in Sheffield and was told he was merely suffering a strain from the hours of practice he has put in seeking the form which won him seven titles around the world this year.

The Worksop golfer has yet to win this season, but last month was runner-up to Colin Montgomerie in the Scandinavian Masters in Sweden.

Today’s announcement was obviously good news for Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance, but if there is any recurrence and Westwood cannot play at The Belfry, the man who finishes 11th in the points table would take his place.