LIV Golf’s Lee Westwood is at U.S. Senior Open for over-50 tour debut

By JIMMY GOLEN The Associated Press

FILE - Co-Captain Lee Westwood of Majesticks GC hits his shot from the seventh tee during the final round of LIV Golf Houston at Golf Club of Houston on Sunday, June 9, 2024 in Humble, Texas. Westwood, the two-time Masters runner-up and former No. 1 golfer in the world is at the Newport Country Club this week for the U.S. Senior Open, making his over-50 tour debut a year late in part because of a PGA Tour ban on LIV Golf defectors. (Photo by LIV Golf via AP, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/LIV Golf]

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Lee Westwood wants golf’s powers to stop fighting so players like him can get back on the course, where the fans want them. The two-time Masters runner-up and former No. 1 golfer in the world is at the Newport Country Club this week for the U.S. Senior Open, making his over-50 tour debut a year late in part because of a PGA Tour ban on LIV Golf defectors. The 51-year-old Westwood received an invite to the Senior Open, which is run by the USGA, as a recent Ryder Cup participant. Richard Bland has also earned an invitation for winning the Senior PGA Championship. The only other LIV golfer over 50 is Phil Mickelson, who hasn’t expressed an interest in the senior tour.