Westwood to play in Grand Prix

Lee Westwood today made a last-minute decision to compete in the Compaq European Grand Prix which begins at Slaley Hall, Northumberland, on Thursday.

Westwood's participation has been eagerly welcomed by tournament organisers who have kept their fingers crossed for more than a fortnight hoping the 1997 Ryder Cup and last year's European Golfer of the Year would file an entry.

The British star's sponsor Ping have allowed him to miss a promotional day in Lincolnshire, and Westwood will join the finest tournament field ever assembled in the north of England.

His agent Andrew Chandler said: "Lee has been going through a bit of a lean spell just recently missing the odd cut.

"He feels the best way to counter the situation is to play himself through it and compete in as many events as he can. Ping also feel this is the right thing for him to do and have been extremely understanding."

Worksop-born Westwood is no stranger to the De Vere Slaley Hall venue.

Two years ago he was third in the £650,000 tournament in front of a huge crowd as Colin Montgomerie won from South Africa's Retief Goosen.

Now he will line up against Masters champions Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam.

With his stablemate Darren Clarke the leading European in the US Open and seven other winners of European Tour titles this year also competing, Westwood will be eager to regain his form of a year ago.