Westwood: 'I'm confident I will be there'

Lee Westwood, who has been inactive while allowing a torn calf muscle to heal, told WalesOnline that he would be ready for the Ryder Cup in Wales in three weeks.

"I've had to be patient over the last month or so," Westwood said. "Injuries can happen any time and they heal in their own time. I'm trying to take my time and trying not to accelerate the process, but I'm fairly confident of being fit as the signs are good. I'm confident I will be there."

Westwood is Europe's best player. HIs injury has caused some consternation in Ryder Cup circles, notably the same WalesOnline. The story said this: "His injury has cast huge doubts on Europe's ability to wrest back the Ryder Cup."

Huge doubts? If Westwood can't play, he'll be replaced by Justin Rose, according to European captain Colin Montgomerie. Rose has won twice on the PGA Tour this year and is in contention at the BMW Championship.

-- John Strege