Lee Westwood confirms he wants release to play in Saudi-backed event

Lee Westwood has broken his silence on the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit and confirmed he has requested a release to play the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event next month.

Westwood revealed in February he had signed a non-disclosure agreement regarding his possible participation in what was then a proposed league of 14 events.

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman claimed on Monday that the league was ready to launch in mid-February until Phil Mickelson’s comments about the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia were published and led to some players to back out.

“The ones who wanted to get out because of the pressure of the PGA Tour gave back their money and got out. Guys had money in their pockets,” Norman told ESPN.

Speaking during last year’s US PGA Championship, Westwood said it would be a “no-brainer” for him to sign a multi-million pound contract at this stage of his career, despite the threat of bans from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, which would rule players out of the Ryder Cup.

And on Wednesday the 49-year-old confirmed that he has asked both Tours for the release required to contest the $25 million event at Centurion Club from June 9-11.

“I’ve asked for releases for tournaments for as long as I’ve been on Tour,” Westwood said. “Not heard anything back yet. Ball is in the European Tour’s court and the PGA Tour’s court for that matter.

“I think some of my mates I grew up playing with in Worksop, if I went up to them and said I’ve been given an opportunity to play in a tournament, a 48-man tournament for $25 million, they would probably pull me to one side and say ‘what is it you’re actually thinking about?’

“This is my job. I do this for money. It’s not the only reason for doing it. But if anybody comes along and gives any of