Westwood eyes Ryder Cup captaincy but warns Clarke not to bow to friendship

Westwood has played in nine Ryder Cups and is fourth on Europe’s all-time list of points scorers in the event, only two points behind Nick Faldo.

Though he has never won a major, finishing in the top three eight times, the 42-year-old Westwood only sees himself competing as a player for a few more years before putting his name forward for the captaincy.

“I’d like to go on a little longer,” said the Worksop professional. “Two or three years, then think about the Ryder Cup captaincy. If I put my name in for the captaincy in four years’ time then I can think about joining the Seniors Tour after that.”

Westwood is keen to play in September’s Ryder Cup in Hazeltine, Minnesota, but has reassured current captain Darren Clarke he need not worry their friendship would be damaged if he was not selected due to poor form.

“Hazeltine is in my mind for different reasons and naturally I want to play,” he said. “But I read somewhere that Darren is worried about friendships and making picks. I can put his mind at rest. Your past record only counts if you are playing well. I’d say to Darren, even before he contemplated it, not to select me if I wasn’t playing well.”