Langer sings Westwood's praises

Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer would be “very surprised” if England’s back-to-form Lee Westwood does not automatically qualify to take part in next year’s showdown against the United States.

An out-of-the-blue victory at the BMW International Open in Munich during August and a brilliant triumph in last weekend’s dunhill links championship means Westwood tops the European points list.

And Langer, speaking at an official Ryder Cup press conference alongside USA captain Hal Sutton, was eager to sing Westwood’s praises ahead of next year’s event at Michigan’s Oakland Hills Country Club.

The German said: “It’s terrific to see Lee as being one of our great young players, who a few years ago won many tournaments all over the world.

“Whoever has watched him knows how well he can play, and he’s a wonderful person and a great guy to be with on top of that.

“He has struggled a little bit the last year or two. He’s made some swing changes and it’s great to see that he’s back.”

Westwood, who topped the Ryder Cup rankings last time, has already accumulated 751,193.50 points – twice that of his nearest rival and not far short of the 858,944.71 with which Phillip Price made the cut for The Belfry.

He competes this weekend at the American Express Championship in Atlanta.