“If I wanted to be in Boston, I’d be in Boston”, declared World No. 2 Lee Westwood.
Not for a first time, Westwood seemed to enjoy the opporunity in making yet another tongue in cheek comment when asked if he’d rather be playing this week in the FedEx Cup series event in Boston rather than the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
Lee Westwood enjoys another 'swipe' at the PGA Tour. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Westwood, who turns 39 next April, is now more than comfortable living in the UK and competing on the European Tour than at any time in his career.
He’s had four separate journeys to the U.S. this year and one of those was not to contest the Players Championship.
So there is no way at this stage of his career, and despite continued prompting, is Westwood about to change his playing schedule and bow to the wishes of those on the opposite side of ‘The Pond’ who would like to see the current World No. 2 playing more in front of American audiences.
And Westwood’s fondness for Europe was no more exemplified when he opened the window of his Crans Montana hotel room,
“I looked out my window this morning and I thought I’m in the right place,” he said.
“There is no more beautiful place. I tweeted the view and put the picture on ‘twitter’. It’s spectacular, wherever you look.
“That’s why I’m just happy playing here in Europe.
“Well, I’ve got the option (of playing in the States). But if I wanted to be in Boston, I would be in Boston but I don’t as I want to be here.”
After again going so close to capturing a first Major, Westwood has vowed to work even harder on his fitness in what remains of his international schedule this year.
Westwood is returning to competition for a first occasion since finishing eighth in last month’s PGA Championship in Atlanta.
His only golf in that period was six holes on the Green Monkey course in Barbados with 10-year old son, Sam.
Westwood began the Major’s this year with an 11th at Augusta, a share of third behind McIlroy at Congressional and then joined World No. 1, Luke Donald to miss the cut in The Open.
And in the rundown to the year’s final event, Worksop’s favourite golfing son is determined to work hard on his fitness.
“I want to keep working on my fitness so that I will be ready for next season,” he said.
“The Majors have been played this year but there is still some big tournaments left this year. There is a WGC event in Shanghai and I’m defending the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa.
“I’ve got these two weeks in Switzerland and Holland and we’ve still got the Dunhill in Scotland, so we are playing for a lot of money between now and the end of the year.
“There’s also the Race to Dubai title and even though Luke (Donald) has a big lead things can still change pretty quickly.”
There’s also the start this week of the 2012 Ryder Cup qualification process but then Westwood, who is a veteran of seven Ryder Cups, is not as excited about getting off to a good start as he may have been when he made his European Team debut in 1997.
“It would be nice to get off to a good start in the Ryder Cup and get some points up before Christmas as that would take a little pressure off,” he said.
“But then the Ryder Cup is something you are aware of but not as much as it used to be. I’ve played in seven Ryder Cups now so I know not to let it pre-occupy my time too much.
“Qualifying for the Ryder Cup is a by-product of playing well week in and week out.”
