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Lee Westwood explains why he has asked for LIV Golf release

Lee Westwood confirmed Wednesday what has long been suspected – that he has asked the PGA and DP World tours for a conflicting-event release to play in the first LIV event next month in England.

“It’s an opportunity to play in a big tournament against some of the best players in the world in England,” he said in an on-camera interview Wednesday with Sky Sports at the British Masters. “I love playing in England in front of the home fans. Any time there are opportunities like that, I feel like I should take it.”

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has threatened to come down hard on those who asked for releases to play in the inaugural event of the Saudi-backed rebel tour, with speculation that those players could then be ruled out of any future Ryder Cup captaincy.