Westwood ready for senior Ryder Cup role

Lee Westwood has said that he would be willing to take over as Europe's 'on-course leader' at next year's Ryder Cup.

For many years the unofficial role was held by Colin Montgomerie, who will serve as captain against the US holders at Celtic Manor in Wales in 2010.

‘Monty wasn't there so I suppose I had a taste of it last year,’ Westwood told reporters on the eve of the European Masters, the first points-counting event for the Ryder Cup.

‘I'm probably the one with most experience now although Padraig (Harrington) and Sergio (Garcia) will (probably) get in the team as well.

‘I'm a person who takes responsibility quite easily and players could feel free to talk to me if they can't find Monty,’ added world number 10 Westwood.

The 36-year-old Englishman has already played in six Ryder Cups but is trying to avoid too many thoughts of the qualifying process at this stage.

‘I'm here this week to win the European Masters,’ said Westwood. ‘My number one goal this year is to win the money-list (Race to Dubai).’

Fourth-placed Westwood, who won the money-list in 2000, could take over from Rory McIlroy in third spot in the Race to Dubai on Monday.

However the 20-year-old from Northern Ireland, who was third in last month's US PGA Championship, appears to be in peak form.

McIlroy also seems sure to be one of the 12 players in Montgomerie's secret 'dream team' the captain said he had drawn up last week and will hope to go one better than last year at Crans where he lost to Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin in a playoff.

The world number 24 described the Ryder Cup as an ‘exhibition’ event earlier this year but is still keen to play in the biennial match.

‘I would be very disappointed if I hadn't played well enough to be in it,’ said McIlroy.

This week's €2million tournament in the Swiss Alps is the first in Europe to be co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour.