• European Tour

Westwood feels footballers are paid too much

ESPN staff
December 19, 2011
Lee Westwood has earned more than £25 million in his career © Getty Images
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Lee Westwood has conceded golfers are paid too much, but defended the money that is bestowed upon the game's stars in comparison to footballers.

Westwood has had another superb, albeit major-less, year and returned to No. 2 in the world rankings courtesy of his stunning victory at the Thailand Golf Championship.

The Brit has picked up more than £25 million in career earnings and admits he is in a privileged position, but feels footballers are far more fortunate as they pick up wages even when they perform badly.

"We play for a staggering amount of money, no doubt about it and I've always stressed we are very, very fortunate. I think we are paid too much money - compared to police and teachers and nurses," Westwood told the Independent. "But then compare it to footballers.

"I think the only thing you can probably justify it by is that when golfers have a bad day, we don't get paid anything, but when we have a great day we get paid a lot. It's part of the pressure involved. There isn't a wage as such."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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