Chris Wood defends Sully World Cup pick

• Fallout from Lee Westwood’s non-selection continues
• “It had nothing to do with me,” said Chris Wood
• Wood picked Andy Sullivan after Danny Willett withdrew

Chris Wood didn’t speak to Lee Westwood at the DP World Tour Championship as the fallout from his World Cup non-selection continues to simmer.

Westwood had his flights booked months in advance and was all set to head Down Under after adjusting his schedule accordingly, only to be bumped out following Danny Willett’s decision to withdraw.

“It had nothing to do with me” – Chris Wood

That gave the next highest-ranked player, Wood, the opportunity to pick Andy Sullivan for the tournament, leaving the 43-year-old less than impressed.

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But Wood, who won the BMW PGA Championship in May, argued that there was no issue when Willett overlooked the likes of him, Sullivan and Tyrrell Hatton – despite the trio being ranked higher than Westwood.

“I can understand Lee’s frustration, but it was Dan that pulled out which affected him,” Wood told the Sydney Morning Herald. “It had nothing to do with me.

“I’m sure it will blow over” – Chris Wood

“Dan got the choice to pick two or three months ago and he looked past the likes of myself, Sully, Fitz and Tyrrell Hatton to go to pick Lee. I’m sure all of us felt a little bit frustrated by that. But nothing was made of it.

“At that point I was the next guy in line and when I had gone down the rankings Sully was the guy behind me. That was the right way to do it I felt.

Read more -> Lee Westwood wants 2020 Ryder Cup captaincy

“I’m sure it will blow over. I wouldn’t have thought it would be an issue.”

Willett apologised to Westwood for costing him his place in the event, but that didn’t stop the Englishman venting ahead of last week’s season-ender in Dubai.

“Frustrated would be one word you could use to describe how I feel about it” – Lee Westwood

“I haven’t spoken to Woody yet, but frustrated would be one word you could use to describe how I feel about it,” he told The Sun.

“It’s not great when it all happens at the last minute, especially as I’d geared all my end of season plans around playing in the World Cup.”

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Chris Wood & the World Cup fallout

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