In a major boost to this month’s Vivendi Seve Trophy both Lee Westwood and Open Champion, Darren Clarke will now commit to the event later this month in France.
The inclusion of the World No. 2 ranked Westwood and Clarke was confirmed today in Switzerland by ISM manager Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, and despite the fact the full make-up of the two sides will not be known until Sunday night when automatic qualifying concludes.
Westwood’s and Clarek’s appearance is a big lift also for defending GB & I defending captain, Paul McGinley who was staring at no Irish representation in his side after U.S. Open champion, Rory McIlroy indicated yesterday he would be unavailable for selection.
Westwood is currently ranked second on the qualifying table that ends this Sunday at the close of the Omega European Masters.
It will be Westwood’s fourth appearance in the now biannual event but a first since 2003.
Clarke was due to greet guests arriving at the Archerfield course near Edinburgh on Sunday, September 18th and the final day of the Vivendi Seve Trophy ahead of a two-day charity fund-raiser on the Monday and Tuesday.
“Darren was very conscious of not breaking any promises to those guests but we’ve managed to organise a private jet for him to take him from France, and straight after the Vivendi, to Edinburgh so hopefully he will be able to meet many of those guests on Sunday as he had promised,” said Chandler.
Clarke currently heads the second of two Vivendi Seve Trophy qualifying tables but hasn’t represented GB & I in the 10-man team’s event since 2002.
As well, it’s believed World No. 18 Paul Casey will make himself available given he was cut last week from the FedEx Cup series.
Casey expressed strong interest following the recent PGA Championship in Atlanta not only a desire to compete but also to be on hand to honour Ballesteros’ memory.
The Englishman is lying fourth behind Clarke on the points table and should be assured of automatic selection.
The inclusion of three Ryder Cup stars in the Vivendi Seve Trophy is also a big lift for European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal.
Olazabal revealed he had written a letter some two weeks ago to all 10 current qualifiers, along with those on the fringe of selection, asking them to compete.
“I wrote to all the players who look like qualifying asking them if they would consider playing not only because we need them competing but also as this year it’s very much a tribute to Seve,” said Olazabal after carding a 75 on the opening day of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
“So you will hear some good news in a couple of days.”
