Westwood On R&A: "They are the guardians of the game but it seems to be money-driven."

Lee Westwood, who says he was inspired by seeing golf on BBC, questions the move to paid television in the UK, reducing the potential audience size for The Open Championship.

Derek Lawrenson for the Daily Mail quotes the Englishman, who sounds disgusted.

‘I cannot believe The Open isn’t protected as one of the sporting crown jewels (meaning it is shown live on terrestrial TV). That is an absolute disgrace.

‘I wouldn’t be playing the game if I hadn’t watched Greg Norman win The Open at Turnberry in 1986 and Sir Nick Faldo win the following year. The BBC are doing golf no favours at all by letting The Open go, and you have to question the role of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club as well. They are the guardians of the game but it seems to be money-driven.’