Lee Westwood seethes at World Cup snub

• Lee Westwood left ‘frustrated’ at World Cup of Golf snub
• The Englishman lost his place after Danny Willett withdrew
• Chris Wood opted for Andy Sullivan over the 43-year-old

Lee Westwood has expressed his dismay after Ryder Cup team-mate Chris Wood didn’t choose him for next week’s World Cup of Golf.

The 43-year-old had been due to tee it up at Kingston Heath alongside Danny Willett but the Masters champion pulled out with a back problem, meaning Westwood no longer had a place in the event as the highest-ranked player picks their partner.

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

With Justin Rose also nursing a back problem, it meant Chris Wood was next in line and he’s picked Andy Sullivan for the event leaving Westwood – who had already booked his flight Down Under and had adjusted his schedule accordingly – not best pleased.

Read more -> Lee Westwood wants Ryder Cup captaincy

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

“I’m not pointing fingers” – Lee Westwood

“I’m not pointing fingers, but you would have thought that when a guy has made detailed plans – and sorted out travel and everything else – he should still be in the team, even when someone else has to pull out.

“It was a big deal for me because I’ve never played in the World Cup before – whenever the chance came up in the past I’d already committed to another event, so I made sure I cleared the decks this time.”

Read more -> Lee Westwood chooses British Masters venue

However, in picking Sullivan, Wood believes he only did what Willett had done – choosing his mate.

“It’s a bit of an awkward position to find yourself into be honest – Danny made no bones about the fact he was picking his mate, and it probably looks like I’ve done the same thing,” he explained.

“I can understand Lee’s frustration” – Chris Wood

“I can understand Lee’s frustration after being named in the team, only to be left high and dry when Danny pulled out. Maybe the rules need looking at in those circumstances. But I couldn’t let that affect my decision.

“Sully and I are a different generation to Lee. In a way this latest Ryder Cup possibly marked a changing of the guard, where guys like myself and Sully have to step up.”

Follow @BunkeredOnline

Does Lee Westwood have a right to be annoyed?

What do you make of Chris Wood’s decision not to pick Westwood for the World Cup of Golf? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.