Westy slams US over McIlroy snub

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  • December 7, 2010

Lee Westwood has blasted the PGA Tour for snubbing Rory McIlroy when naming their Rookie of the Year for 2010.

Using Twitter, Lee Westwood has blasted the PGA Tour for snubbing Rory McIlroy when naming their Rookie of the Year for 2010.

This despite the fact that the hugely talented Northern Irishman finished third in the last two majors of the year, destroyed his opposition in winning his maiden Tour title at Quail Hollow in May with a stunning final-round 62 and then played an important role with fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph in October.

Westwood felt this clearly elevated him above the colourful Fowler, who though clearly an up-and-coming talent, has yet to win on the PGA Tour.

Said a clearly irate World No 1: “Sorry, 140 letters is not going to be enough for this rant! Just seen Rickie Fowler has been given rookie of the year! Yes he’s had a good year but Rory McIlroy third in two majors and an absolute demolition of the field at Quail Hollow! Oh yes and on the winning Ryder cup team! Please!”

Very recently McIlroy announced that he would be leading the US PGA Tour next year to full commit himself to the European Tour and Westwood felt this may have had something to do with the US snub.

Westwood wrote: “Is this yet another case of protectionism by the PGA Tour or are they so desperate to win something?”

“Wouldn’t have something to do with Rory not joining the tour next year? Maybe the PGA Tour just employs the same voting process as FIFA! Come on, fair’s fair!”

McIlroy, who had been a professional for a year or two before he joined the US PGA Tour for the first time this year, refused to be drawn into a debate after finished fourth at the weekend’s Chevron World Challenge in California

He opted instead to congratulate Fowler, who didn’t play in the event.

“It’s fine,” he said. “Look, I really didn’t want it. I’m not a rookie. When I joined the PGA Tour, I was already in the world top 10. Rickie had an unbelievable year. He deserves it.”

Asked if he’d been overlooked because he had snubbed America rather than the fact that he wasn’t a true rookie, McIlroy said: “It might be a little of both.”

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