Westwood delighted with US PGA invite

Lee Westwood, currently 209th in the world, has been invited to take part in next month’s US PGA championship.

“For the last seven years I’ve not required an invitation and to receive one now when I have not automatically qualified is a very big confidence-booster,” said the former European number one and world number four, who three weeks ago had his first top 10 finish in almost two years.

Westwood, who has now teamed up with Bernhard Langer’s long-time caddie Pete Coleman, will spend three weeks in the States, also playing the International event in Colorado and the NEC world championship in Ohio.

The PGA championship is at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York.

“One of my big goals is to retain my place in the Ryder Cup,” he added.

“I am swinging and playing better than for a long time and I’m sure this welcome news will help me to get back to where I aim to be.”