Lee Westwood Going Back To European Tour Full Time

As the British Masters is about to get underway at Woburn and Lee Westwood is an official/unofficial host along with Mssrs. Poulter, Rose and Donald, the former world No. 2 is going back to the European Tour full time.

Alistair Tait explains that the move is family-driven, with a little future Ryder Cup captaincy also a positive that might come out of Westwood's recent divorce.

Westwood’s form could become a concern for next year’s Ryder Cup. He has been a perennial member of the European Tour since 1997. He plans to be at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., next year.

“I played the last nine, so obviously I would like to keep going,” he said. “(The matches) probably give you the biggest buzz of any golf tournament we play. I always like to be involved as a player. Coming back to Europe might give me a better chance of doing that.

“If I’m not involved as a player, I’d like to be involved in the backroom. I’d like to help (European captain) Darren (Clarke) out with the other stuff, also with a view to obviously be a captain at some point during the next few years.”

As for the British Masters' return, Derek Lawrenson has a few thoughts an insight into the interesting sponsorship role Sky Sports is playing.