Lee Westwood makes revelation amid launch of Saudi-backed golf tour

Lee Westwood says he has asked to be released from the PGA and DP World Tours so he can play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series in June.

The new tour led by two-time Open champion Greg Norman is set to get underway at the Centurion Club in St Albans next month with a $25 million purse up for grabs.

However, golfers wishing to compete in the event must ask the PGA and DP World Tours for permission amid warnings of lifetime bans from the two tours.

Last month, the Telegraph reported that Westwood along with Ian Poulter, Bubba Watson and Kevin Na were close to signing up to the breakaway tour and the Englishman has now confirmed those reports.

He told Sky Sports: ‘I’ve put a release in with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, as many people have. That’s kind of the stage we’re at and anything after that is just ifs and buts and speculation.

‘It’s an opportunity to play in a big tournament, against some of the best players in the world, in England. I love playing in England in front of home fans, so any time there’s an opportunity like that I feel like I should take it.

‘I am an independent contractor. I work for myself, it’s my job, and I have to do what’s right for me.’

Despite the potential of being excluded from golf’s best events in Europe and America, six-time major champion Phil Mickelson has heavily backed LIV Golf’s new tour.

But the American has been criticised for his support of the Saudis considering their poor record on human rights and in February took a break away from golf after suggesting he was prepared to overlook the state’s misdemeanors in order to better his career.

Westwood believes Saudi Arabia is trying to change the way it is perceived by the western world and pointed to other