Westwood to play debutant and veteran roles

The Worksop man goes into the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake, Atlanta, in joint eighth in the rankings with 2,726 points and in with a chance of the $10m bonus prize.

Top 10 finishes in half of his 14 events prove he’s in good form.

And with the famous showdown between Europe and America taking place next week at Medinah, Chicago, it’s a good time to be playing well.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph this week Westwood opened the door to a possible Ryder Cup pairing with Rory McIlroy, quelling rumours of a rift between the duo.

Talk of a falling out emerged when McIlroy left International Sports Management last year, the company run by Chubby Chandler that looks after Westwood.

But he said: “There is nothing there. Fans must watch us having banter on the course thinking, ‘So where is this grudge?’”

“So he left the management company I’m with. So what? It was a business decision. There is nothing personal with me.”

“There’s nothing between us personally that would get in the way [of playing together at the Ryder Cup]. Who wouldn’t want to play with Rory when he’s in this nick? I’d love to.”

Before they can join up as team-mates, the duo will battle it out in the Tour Championship this weekend, with Ulsterman McIlroy currently leading the rankings.