Wrist Injury Sidelines Golf Veteran: A Temporary Setback for the LIV Season
Westwood's Unexpected Absence from LIV Golf's Inaugural Events
Lee Westwood, a prominent figure in the world of golf, recently disclosed that a wrist injury has compelled him to withdraw from the initial two tournaments of the upcoming LIV Golf season. This announcement has stirred discussions among fans and fellow competitors regarding the impact on his performance and his team's standing.
Missing the First Two Stops: Riyadh and Adelaide
As co-captain of Majesticks GC alongside countryman Ian Poulter, Westwood's absence will be felt at the season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is scheduled to commence on Wednesday and will feature night play at the Riyadh Golf Club. Following this, he will also be skipping the LIV tour's subsequent event in Adelaide, Australia, before aiming for a return to competitive play in Hong Kong, slated for March 5-8.
Managing the Injury: A Precautionary Measure
Westwood took to social media to reassure his followers that his injury is not critical. He emphasized that the decision to sit out was made based on medical advice to carefully manage his playing load in the coming weeks. He expressed his anticipation for his season debut in Hong Kong and extended his best wishes to Majesticks Golf Club as they compete without him.
Ben Schmidt Steps In: Potential Disciplinary Action for DP World Tour Player
In Westwood's stead, fellow English golfer Ben Schmidt, a 23-year-old and a member of the DP World Tour, will join the Majesticks GC for the Riyadh tournament. However, reports from Bunkered indicate that Schmidt might face disciplinary action from the European tour because he had not secured official clearance to participate in LIV Golf events.
Westwood's Esteemed Career and Recent Tour Standing
Throughout several decades, the 52-year-old Westwood has been a celebrated name in European golf, achieving two victories on the PGA Tour prior to joining LIV Golf when it launched in 2022. He successfully retained his tour card in the 2025 standings, narrowly avoiding relegation by finishing as the 46th-ranked player.