Lee Westwood hasn't wasted any time making headlines this week. Hot off of a weekend that saw the European Team take the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor 14.5-13.5 from a strong and determined American Team, Westwood moved into 2nd in the Official World Golf Rankings behind heavy front runner Tiger Woods. Having played some his best golf in years in what many would deem a sort of combination play, splitting time between the PGA Tour in American and the European Tour overseas, Westwood made headlines again today when he announced that he would forgo his membership with the PGA of American in favor of keeping his slot with the European Tour.
With Westwood building momentum going into this weeks contest at St. Andrews, he said that, "He had no interest in commuting back and forth across the Atlantic and even less in chasing the $10 million bonus prize that goes to the winner of the FedEx Cup play-offs." While many were taken aback by the move, including PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem, Westwood's comments and reasons for doing so were well intended and ultimately served he and his family well moving forward. With plenty of things on his mind, including becoming the world's No. 1 golfer with a victory or second-place finish in the Dunhill Links Championship, Westwood has plenty of other things to look forward to as he sets the stage to make a run at the world's best.
The No. 1 position, currently held by Tiger Woods for the last 278 weeks (620 weeks for his career), will be the topic of conversation among the golfing world after Mickelson failed to overthrow Woods this season. Unable to build off the momentum from his amazing 2010 Masters run, the stage has been set for another one of golf's bright stars to step in and take control of the reigns. Yet with the swarm of media attention surrounding the feat, it was great to see Westwood with his mind focused on his career and for taking a hard stance against the transition.
With other European professionals set to hit to ground running in 2011 with the PGA Tour in America, including players like Paul Casey, Justin Rose and U.S. Open Championship winner Graeme McDowell, expect a larger number of European players to transition overseas and begin playing for the lucrative FedEx Cup in the future. While the lore and lust or the European Tour still exists, as the embodiment and birth place of the game, players like Westwood and McDowell are happy with their stake in both the U.S. and European Tours. In an interview McDowell went on to say in regards to his experience with the PGA Tour in American that, "I tried it once before, in 2006, but I never really got a full taste of it. I want to give it a go out there, though my schedule will also have European Tour events in it as well."
Westwood on the other hand, a much more reserved and independent competitor has decided to forgo chasing the money and opted to stay in Europe as a way to support his family and the European Tour. Westwood commented on his reasons for forgoing membership by stating that, "It is hard full stop. I don't think it is any harder. I think it would be harder if you were forced into a lifestyle change you didn't want to see happen. I play well because I am happy. I have my family, my house here. I pay all my taxes here. I might as well make the most of the child benefit – oh yeah, I forgot; they're taking that away."
Regardless of the reasons for Westwood's willingness to stay with the European Tour be it family, fans, venues or the simple fact that this is where he calls home, he has made it clear that he is not in it for the money or else he would have gladly joined in on the fun with the PGA in America. "I had my US Tour card in 2006, '07 and '08 and there were times I was teeing up just to make up the numbers," Westwood said. "I don't want to do that again. The only reason I would join the US Tour is for money."
With Westwood staying put and the notion of starting a PGA World Tour today by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, I am happy to hear the players are opting to stay in Europe as a way to foster the growth of the sport, draw fans to events, and for the shear pleasure of playing in front of their home town supporters. While I am confident that Westwood's ability to maintain his No. 2 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings will not be put in jeopardy given his recent climb the last few years to the elite of the PGA, Westwood must contend with and prioritize his schedule nicely going into next season if he plans to overtake Tiger at the No. 1 spot. Either way I have to say that I feel this is a great move on the part of Westwood. His willingness to play more for personal preference than money is something that is often lost amongst professional athletes these days. With the Tour season winding down and a host of fantastic tournaments in the books for next year, look for Westwood to tee off next season poised claim, or retain, the No. 1 spot.
*For a complete list of the 2010 Official World Golf Rankings simply click on the title of this article
Lee Westwood hasn't wasted any time making headlines this week. Hot off of a weekend that saw the European Team take the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor 14.5-13.5 from a strong and determined American Team, Westwood moved into 2nd in the Official World Golf Rankings behind heavy front runner Tiger Woods. Having played some his best golf in years in what many would deem a sort of combination play, splitting time between the PGA Tour in American and the European Tour overseas, Westwood made headlines again today when he announced that he would forgo his membership with the PGA of American in favor of keeping his slot with the European Tour.
With Westwood building momentum going into this weeks contest at St. Andrews, he said that, "He had no interest in commuting back and forth across the Atlantic and even less in chasing the $10 million bonus prize that goes to the winner of the FedEx Cup play-offs." While many were taken aback by the move, including PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem, Westwood's comments and reasons for doing so were well intended and ultimately served he and his family well moving forward. With plenty of things on his mind, including becoming the world's No. 1 golfer with a victory or second-place finish in the Dunhill Links Championship, Westwood has plenty of other things to look forward to as he sets the stage to make a run at the world's best.
The No. 1 position, currently held by Tiger Woods for the last 278 weeks (620 weeks for his career), will be the topic of conversation among the golfing world after Mickelson failed to overthrow Woods this season. Unable to build off the momentum from his amazing 2010 Masters run, the stage has been set for another one of golf's bright stars to step in and take control of the reigns. Yet with the swarm of media attention surrounding the feat, it was great to see Westwood with his mind focused on his career and for taking a hard stance against the transition.
With other European professionals set to hit to ground running in 2011 with the PGA Tour in America, including players like Paul Casey, Justin Rose and U.S. Open Championship winner Graeme McDowell, expect a larger number of European players to transition overseas and begin playing for the lucrative FedEx Cup in the future. While the lore and lust or the European Tour still exists, as the embodiment and birth place of the game, players like Westwood and McDowell are happy with their stake in both the U.S. and European Tours. In an interview McDowell went on to say in regards to his experience with the PGA Tour in American that, "I tried it once before, in 2006, but I never really got a full taste of it. I want to give it a go out there, though my schedule will also have European Tour events in it as well."
Westwood on the other hand, a much more reserved and independent competitor has decided to forgo chasing the money and opted to stay in Europe as a way to support his family and the European Tour. Westwood commented on his reasons for forgoing membership by stating that, "It is hard full stop. I don't think it is any harder. I think it would be harder if you were forced into a lifestyle change you didn't want to see happen. I play well because I am happy. I have my family, my house here. I pay all my taxes here. I might as well make the most of the child benefit – oh yeah, I forgot; they're taking that away."
Regardless of the reasons for Westwood's willingness to stay with the European Tour be it family, fans, venues or the simple fact that this is where he calls home, he has made it clear that he is not in it for the money or else he would have gladly joined in on the fun with the PGA in America. "I had my US Tour card in 2006, '07 and '08 and there were times I was teeing up just to make up the numbers," Westwood said. "I don't want to do that again. The only reason I would join the US Tour is for money."
With Westwood staying put and the notion of starting a PGA World Tour today by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, I am happy to hear the players are opting to stay in Europe as a way to foster the growth of the sport, draw fans to events, and for the shear pleasure of playing in front of their home town supporters. While I am confident that Westwood's ability to maintain his No. 2 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings will not be put in jeopardy given his recent climb the last few years to the elite of the PGA, Westwood must contend with and prioritize his schedule nicely going into next season if he plans to overtake Tiger at the No. 1 spot. Either way I have to say that I feel this is a great move on the part of Westwood. His willingness to play more for personal preference than money is something that is often lost amongst professional athletes these days. With the Tour season winding down and a host of fantastic tournaments in the books for next year, look for Westwood to tee off next season poised claim, or retain, the No. 1 spot.
*For a complete list of the 2010 Official World Golf Rankings simply click on the title of this article
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