Lee Westwood has a pop at the United States' handling of Covid-19, a boost for women's golf, and Monty's weight loss. Alex Perry wraps up the week's tour news
Lee Westwood has decided the risk of catching Covid-19 is too much and won’t fly out for the WGC and PGA Championship.
“I’m concerned that America doesn’t take it as seriously as the rest of the world,” he said. “It still seems to be one of the hot spots for outbreaks.”
Speaking after finishing his hosting duties at the British Masters, won by Renato Paratore, Westwood revealed that players had been told they will no longer need to quarantine when entering the US, provided they go straight to the event.
He added: “I can control me not getting the virus and take all the measures I can, but somebody might pass it on. I don’t really want to get ill with it and I’m slightly asthmatic.
“Right now there are too many what ifs. If you take all them into consideration, there is something wrong.
“I feel like I should play in a few of the UK Swing events to support the European Tour because they have done such an unbelievable job of putting on these tournaments.”
As for Paratore, it’s a second European Tour victory for the young Italian, who finished on 18-under-par, three clear of Danish teenager Rasmus Hojgaard and 26 ahead of his tournament host.
- Related: What’s in Paratore’s bag?
Over the pond, it was a second PGA Tour win for Michael Thompson thanks to a solid final day that included this stunning bunker shot.
Thompson, whose other win came at the 2013 Honda Classic a year after a runner-up spot in the US Open, did it with a putter that’s older than him.
- Related: What’s in Thompson’s bag?
New name for the AIG Women’s British Open
Great news for the the women’s game on this side of the Atlantic as the R&A and AIG put pen to paper on an extended sponsorship deal which will now run until 2025.
The partnership also comes with a name change, with the word ‘British’ dropped from the title. It will now be known as the ‘AIG Women’s Open’.
Though there is no way I’m still the only person still calling it ‘the Ricoh’, right?
- Related: LET restart confirmed in Scotland
Commander in cheek
The New York Times published a fascinating story this week about how US president Donald Trump made a sneaky attempt to convince the UK Government to help get Trump Turnberry another crack at hosting the Open. (You know, that tournament famously organised by Members of Parliament…)
And it got us thinking – is it about time Turnberry hosted golf’s oldest championship again? It is, after all, 11 years since that famous Stewart Cink victory over Tom Watson. Dan Murphy has argued the case very well.
- Related: Tom Watson’s Turnberry defeat ‘broke my email’
- Related: Which course should host the Open in 2025?
Your MAJesty
Miguel Angel Jimenez continues to defy the odds on the European Tour. He already holds the record for being the oldest champion – he won the 2014 Open de Espana at the age of 50 – and most holes-in-one with 10.
And now he’s equalled the record for most appearances…
According to his website, Jimenez will play at least the first three events of the six-strong UK Swing, so that record will only be tied for a few more days.
- Related: What’s in Jimenez’s bag?
Mont-GONE-erie
And finally, a shout out to Colin Montgomerie who has lost almost three stones – that’s about 18 kilograms or 40 pounds if you’re across the pond – during lockdown.
The eight-time Order of Merit winner showed off his new slimline look while celebrating his beloved Leeds United’s promotion to the Premier League.
If you want to know his secret – it was good eating and exercising. Obviously.
- Related: Meeting Monty and the most stressful five minutes of my life
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