Lee Westwood out of US PGA due to COVID-19 fears

Lee Westwood has ruled himself out of competing in the US PGA Championship next week after still not being comfortable jumping on a plane during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Westwood, who finished last of those that made the cut in his hosting of last week's British Masters at Close House, is also concerned that the United States is not taking the pandemic as seriously as other countries right now. 

"I still don't feel comfortable and I don't feel it is right to jump on a plane for 12 hours," said Westwood. 

He added: "I am still more concerned that America doesn't take it as seriously as the rest of the world. It still seems to be one of the hotspots for outbreaks. 

"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. 

"There are too many what ifs. If you take all of them into consideration, there is something wrong."

Westwood, however, is more content to continue playing the European Tour's new six-tournament 'UK Swing', especially after successfully hosting last week's British Masters at his home club, Close House. 

"When we turned up on Monday I was surprised with how thorough everything was," said the 44-time winner.

"The testing protocol we have all been through has been a success. I don't think anybody has tested positive so hopefully they will carry on next week.

"But in 28 years of playing on Tour, this is a shock to the system isn't it?

"Whenever I come out and play the tournaments now, it is almost about seeing my mates and the sociable element of it all, and you're not getting that at the moment.

"I've never seen so many player on the range at 8 o'clock at night trying to avoid their hotel rooms."