If Lee Westwood and Luke Donald had retired and completely disappeared from the spotlight after the 2021 Ryder Cup, there is surely no question that the former would have been remembered for the much greater career.
There were some striking similarities between the pair. Both Lee Westwood and Luke Donald never won a major championship despite reaching world number one.
In fact, they are the only two players to reach the summit of the world rankings to have never won one of the game’s four biggest events.
They were also absolutely superb when representing Europe in the Ryder Cup.
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Donald’s short game and putting were absolutely sublime, while Westwood would have almost certainly won a major had he been anywhere near as good on the greens as he was with his long game.
Westwood has won 44 times worldwide, while he clinched 24 points across 11 Ryder Cup appearances. He also finished in the top three of a major on nine occasions.
He certainly had the edge over Donald from a playing perspective.
Perhaps it is, therefore, unfair on Westwood, but events of the last five years have arguably completely altered the legacies of the two men.
The formation of LIV Golf changed much for both Lee Westwood and Luke Donald
Westwood became one of the players who decided to take the opportunity to join LIV Golf in 2022.
While it was understandable to see the veterans of the various tours take the money, it was hugely disappointing to see figures such as Westwood and Ian Poulter make the move that essentially brought the curtain down on their Ryder Cup careers.
Westwood’s form on LIV has hardly captured the imagination. He has registered just five top 10 finishes in a league that seriously lacks depth.
Meanwhile, his Majesticks team sit 12th out of 13 teams on LIV this season.
LIV did, however, clear the path for perhaps the greatest European Ryder Cup captain to emerge.
Donald was overlooked for the role ahead of the 2023 event in Rome. However, Henrik Stenson‘s decision to join the breakaway league prompted the DP World Tour to turn to the Englishman.
Donald had not won on either the European Tour or the PGA Tour since 2012. That was also the year of his fourth and most recent Ryder Cup appearance as a player.
So ahead of LIV’s formation, he seemed to be well down the list of potential captains.
Stenson’s defection has proved to be a blessing in disguise. Donald has overseen victories in Italy and at Bethpage Black. He will lead Europe again in 2027 at Adare Manor.
The 48-year-old is definitely a top contender in the conversation concerning the best leader the Ryder Cup has ever seen.
With that, Donald – who was only offered a commentary role when approached by LIV – has become one of the most respected figures in the game.
Jury is out on whether Lee Westwood’s controversial decision has been vindicated
Rather than find himself gearing up for his own stint as captain, Westwood seems to be determined to dismiss anything on social media that offers any sort of critical take on LIV and the league’s future.
He is far from the only player to staunchly defend LIV at every opportunity. But it was extremely bizarre to see him completely dispute reports claiming Bryson DeChambeau‘s management team had met with PGA Tour officials to discuss what a potential return would look like.
DeChambeau’s contract with LIV expires at the end of the season at a time when the league’s future appears incredibly uncertain. It would be truly ridiculous if his management team did not look into all of his options – even if he just wanted to put himself in a stronger position in talks with LIV.
Westwood is clearly happy with his decision to join LIV. It feels incredibly naive to criticise it given the riches that were on offer at a time when his peak was obviously behind him.
But with a question mark hanging over LIV’s future beyond this season, there must be a part of Westwood that wonders how he will reflect on the move in the coming years.
His decision to join LIV does not change the fact that he is one of the greatest players of the last three decades.
But it is hard to imagine that he will be loved anywhere near as much as Donald will be, solely because of what has happened in both of their careers over the last five years.
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