It may not be happening for another four years, but Lee Westwood has thrown his hat into the ring to become Europe's Ryder Cup captain in 2020.
Westwood has played in nine Ryder Cups for Europe, being on the winning side on seven occasions. The 42-year-old has been on the team since 1997. He was won 23 points for Europe over the nine events. The trio of Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer are the only Europeans to have won more points. All three have gone on to captain the team.
The 2020 Ryder Cup will take place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. Westwood has played at the course at the 2004 and 2015 USPGA Championships. He missed the 2010 event due to injury.
Westwood (back row, centre) made his Ryder Cup debut as a 24-year-old in 1997. Picture by: Laurent Rebours / AP/Press Association Images
Speaking to The Guardian, Westwood revealed that he hopes to play at the top level of the game for a few more years before hoping to take the captaincy. "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 the seniors after that."
Westwood is well outside the spots for this year's event in Minnesota but he still thinks he can make the team, but would love to help friend Darren Clarke behind the scenes if needed. "I’m happy to go along and get some captaincy experience as vice-captain. If you’ve played in nine Ryder Cups you’ve got the respect of the players and feel like you can help. I have played under nine different captains, so I’ve experienced all there is to experience in that regard."
The World number 66 is back in action next week at the Masters. In the last six years, Westwood have four top-ten finishes at Augusta. Another good finish next week, should propel him up the rankings for a tenth Ryder Cup appearance.
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