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Westwood ahead of schedule as fitness deadline looms

Paul McGinley admits Lee Westwood's injury has hurt the European Ryder Cup team © Getty Images

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Lee Westwood has revealed he has made "great progress" ahead of his self-imposed fitness deadline for the Ryder Cup.

Westwood, the world's No. 3 player, has not played any golf for seven weeks after a ruptured calf muscle sidelined him from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. And, with the Ryder Cup a little over two weeks away, it is likely he will play just 36 holes to his full capacity ahead of the Celtic Manor showdown between Europe and USA.

An invitational event at Archerfield Golf Club will see Westwood walk 36 holes for the first time since the injury, and the Briton has confirmed that Friday, September 24 represents his Ryder Cup deadline. Speaking to the Golf Channel, Westwood revealed the break has actually helped him get in shape for the big event.

"I haven't had any pain for three weeks," he said. "I've made great progress. I'm pretty strong at the moment. I'd be fine playing in all five matches (in the Ryder Cup).

"I've been working with my coach, Pete Cowen, and he says I'm swinging it better than I was before. I haven't had a drink in four weeks and have lost 12lbs since the Open."

Westwood's management company, ISM, have confirmed the 37-year-old's progress, revealing he is 'ahead of schedule', but European team assistant Paul McGinley has confessed Westwood's injury problems have hampered preparations.

"We have been hurt by Lee's injury," McGinley said in the Guardian. "There's no doubt about that. It's going to be an unknown factor until Lee turns up that week and we see how he feels, having not competed since the Open. He's our No. 1 player so I think it's going to be a very close Ryder Cup."

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