Future Ryder Cup participation has been one of the big considerations for many players when weighing up a switch to LIV Golf.
The PGA Tour has already moved to suspend those jumping ship – meaning they will be unable to earn qualification points for the biennial clash.
However, Lee Westwood, a veteran of 11 European teams and one of the highest-profile defectors, hit back at the exclusion of LIV players.
“Why should it be threatened?,” he said when asked about his future participation.
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“I’ve been playing Ryder Cup golf since 1997, and the criteria has been to be a member of the European Tour. Now, the criteria for being a member of the European Tour is to play four events. Why should they change that now?
“I’ve been a member of the PGA Tour and still played four events on the European Tour, and why would the European Tour change their rules so dramatically because another tour doesn’t like it or feels financially threatened? There’s just a bit too much protection going on for my liking and not enough transparency.
“I think as long as you fulfill the criteria to be a European Tour member, then you should still have the opportunity to try and qualify for the Ryder Cup team.”
As it stands, LIV…
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