LEE WESTWOOD has asked for a release to play in the controversial Saudi-funded LIV Golf International series saying: “I do this for money.”
And in chasing the petrodollars the English golfer is risking a future role as Europe’s Ryder Cup skipper.
On Saturday Westwood was pictured sitting close to Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley at St James’ Park, where he watched Saudi Arabia-backed Toon lose to Liverpool.
And yesterday he broke his silence on golf’s controversial £200million rebel circuit to confirm he had requested a release from the PGA and DP World Tours to play the first event in Hertfordshire next month.
Westwood, 49, said: “I’ve not heard anything back yet. The ball is in the tours’ court.
“Some of my mates I grew up playing with in Worksop, if I went up to them and said, ‘I’ve been given an opportunity to play in a 48-man tournament for $25million’, they would probably pull me to one side and say, ‘What is it you’re actually thinking about?’
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“This is my job. I do this for money. It’s not the only reason for doing it. But if anybody comes along and gives any of us a chance at a pay rise, then you have to seriously consider it, don’t you?
“It’s being portrayed as and us and them, whereas the people from LIV Golf have said that they want to stand side by side.
“They are not going up against any of the really massive tournaments. They are not forcing anybody’s hand, I believe.”
Westwood was asked if the source of the cash — Saudi’s Public Investment Fund, which also owns Newcastle — was an issue.
He declared: “The first time I played in Saudi Arabia was on the European Tour. So they had no problem with where the money came from.
“I’m of a belief that sport and politics shouldn’t mix.”
British Masters champion Richard Bland, who defends his title at The Belfry today, has also asked for a release to play at Centurion Club in St Albans from June 9-11.
Bland’s win last year was his first on Tour — and came at his 478th attempt. This will be his 500th event and he said: “There’ll probably be a tear in the eye.”
The USA’s six-time Major winner Phil Mickelson also asked to be released to participate in the Saudi series.
