WESTY IS UP FOUR LEAD JOB

But he wants another pick and a bigger say in qualifying system

LEE WESTWOOD will demand more control over qualification for the next European team if he is captain for Rome in 2023.

The Englishman is a strong favourite to pick up the pieces after the record 19-9 defeat inflicted on Padraig Harrington’s team at Whistling Straits.

While he praised Harrington’s leadership in tough circumstances, in the aftermath of what he admitted was a “blowout”, Westwood felt the Irishman sold himself short by only wanting three wildcards.

USA captain Steve Stricker had twice as many at his disposal and ended up with the team he wanted. Europe walked into a hurricane with an umbrella after leaving out the likes of Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Alex Noren.

The Americans would have represented a daunting opponent in their own backyard whoever Harrington (above) had selected, but Westwood wants more flexibility to shape the side.

“Four, four, four my first thought would be – four off the Euro list, four off world list and four picks,” he said.

“Different captains have different ideas and that’s the nice thing about playing under 11 different ones.”

There is merit to Westwood’s thinking. With the European Tour now effectively a feeder operation to its US counterpart, the number of players drawn from Europe could be reduced even further. Bernd Wiesberger, the last qualifier off the domestic list, did not contribute a single point on his debut but Westwood maintains there needs to be a balance.

He added: “There’s got to be some sort of qualifying because you want players to play under pressure.

“If you can play under pressure and qualify for the team, you can represent the team when you get under the heat.”

Westwood, who came back from two down with four to play to beat Harris English in his Sunday singles match, reluctantly accepts his own 24year Ryder Cup playing career is almost certainly over.

Having served as an assistant captain in 2018, the top job – and the daunting challenge of stopping a new American dynasty in two years’ time – beckons.

Westwood said: “I assume I’ll get three or four months to think about it but people keep coming up and saying, ‘Are you going to be the captain in Rome?’

“I’d prefer to play, but Father Time’s not kind is he? I’m 49 in April. It might be the last match I’ve played in the Ryder Cup. I’d rather it wasn’t, but the likelihood is it is.

“Being Ryder Cup captain is a massive honour and it is something I would certainly want to do.”