Lee Westwood speaks of “sadness” after quitting DP World Tour

Lee Westwood has detailed his sadness after resigning his membership of the DP World Tour.

The three-time European No.1 walked away from the circuit yesterday, along with Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Richard Bland, with the threat of significant sanctions hanging over them following their move to the LIV Golf League last year.

In doing so, Poulter, Garcia and Westwood specifically have effectively ended their long and distinguished associations with the Ryder Cup.

• PGA Tour confirms Rory McIlroy punishment

• Westwood, Poulter and Garcia quit DP World Tour

Speaking to The Telegraph’s James Corrigan, former world No.1 Westwood explained how painful a decision it had been for him.

“I was a kid when I played my first European event – the Madeira Islands Open in 1994 when I won about £3,000 for finishing tied 19th,” he said.

“I’ve had amazing times, including all those Ryder Cups. I wouldn’t change those years for the world and feel I made a contribution to the tour. I’m not great on stats but I must have played something like 600 events, won more than 20 titles, and three Order of Merits.

“So no, I never would have believed it had ended like this and there has to be a bit of sadness, of course.”

Westwood also took a swipe at critics of his decision, as well as the hierarchies of both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

• McIlroy breaks silence following Masters MC

• Tiger and caddie LaCava go separate ways

“People say I knew exactly what would happen, but nobody told us the extent of the punishments,” said the Englishman. “And they continue to do that. The way I view it is that, as a European Tour member, I was allowed to be a member of the PGA Tour without any problem for all those years.

“Tell me, what is the difference? Just because LIV is funded by the Saudis – a country where my tour used to play and where we were encouraged to play?

“I’ve been a dual member of the European Tour and PGA Tour, but always said I was a European Tour member first and foremost and that I had fears about the US circuit basically being bullies and doing everything it could to secure global dominance. Check my old quotes, it’s all there.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor