"I am extremely grateful to the US PGA for extending this kind invitation," said Westwood after it was confirmed that he would be teeing up at Oak Hill in Rochester, upstate New York. "For the last seven years I have not required an invitation and to receive one now when I have not automatically qualified is a very big confidence booster," he added.
Westwood has already had two top 20 finishes at the US PGA and hopes to repay his hosts in the best way possible at a championship which marks his debut alongside new caddie Pete Coleman, Bernhard Langer’s long-time bag man.
The 30-year-old from Worksop will now spend three weeks in America – playing this week’s International, the US PGA and then the NEC. Westwood then returns for the BMW International in Munich, which marks the start of qualification for the 2004 Ryder Cup.
"One of my big goals is to retain my place in the Ryder Cup," said Westwood. "I am swinging and playing better now than for a long time and I’m sure this welcome news will help me get back to where I aim to be".
For further information contact ISM managing director Chubby Chandler at 01565 832100 or ISM Media Consultant Martin Hardy on 077477 68118.