Montgomerie: Westwood will play

Lee Westwood may not play a warm-up event before the Ryder Cup, but he should be at Celtic Manor.

Europe’s top player is recovering from a torn calf muscle that has bothered him since the end of June and forced his withdrawal from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational three weeks ago and then the US PGA Championship.

European captain Colin Montgomerie said today: “I phoned Lee on Sunday. Whether he will be playing any competitive golf before the Ryder Cup is in doubt, but at the same time he’ll be hitting balls a week ahead of his scheduled time.

“That gives me great heart and should give us all great heart. So you can damn well guarantee that Lee Westwood will be playing at Celtic Manor.”

The match starts on October 1 and if it does prove to be the world number three’s first event back it would be his first competitive golf since August 6.

The Ryder Cup, of course, involves foursomes and fourballs on the first two days and Celtic Manor could be a demanding physical test.