Recovering Foster axed by Westwood

The world No 4 has told Bingley’s Billy Foster that he is sticking with Zimbabwean Mike Kerr going into next season.

Foster, alongside Westwood in his rise to the top of the rankings, has needed two operations since suffering a cruciate knee injury during a soccer kickabout in America in May.

“It’s been very difficult these last six months – I’ve been in a dark tunnel,” said Foster.

“I’ve only started walking again these last two weeks, so to get the call from Lee just as I was starting to see the light again was unbelievably disappointing and made it harder to take.

“We had such a laugh together, have been great mates and were very successful, but it’s a tough game for caddies and I’ve just to focus on getting myself right.

“I’m a strong character and I’ll be fine – I know I will be – but all this because of a freak accident. I wasn’t even playing in the game when it happened.”

Foster chose not to be part of a caddie side against a local team in North Carolina, but was there to watch and went on the pitch during the warm-up.

Kerr is Westwood’s third caddie since then. They linked up in August after his missed cut at the USPGA Championship.