Westwood holds back on Super League question – 'I've signed an NDA'

Lee Westwood refused to discuss in any detail the proposition of a new Saudi Arabian-backed Super League, saying he had signed a non-disclosure agreement.

Speculation is swirling that top golfers may well be recruited for a potential Super League.

The rumours follow on from a $200million (£147.4m) investment by Greg Norman's company Liv Golf Investments (LGI) into the Asian Tour, which confirmed on Thursday last week that funding had been increased by a further $100m (£73.7m).

LGI has the Private Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia as its largest shareholder.

The Asian Tour's season starts on Thursday with the Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

It used to be held on the European Tour (now the DP World Tour) but is now the flagship tournament for the Asian Tour, which will now include 10 new events following LGI's investment.

Smiles all round @RoyalGreens_KSA #SaudiIntlGolf #SeeItAll pic.twitter.com/rdbRxvu75C
— Saudi International | السعودية الدولية (@SaudiIntlGolf) February 1, 2022

The DP World Tour and the PGA Tour could prevent golfers from playing in their events – including all four majors and the Ryder Cup – should they sign up to a Super League project.

However, it was reported by the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday that one of Europe's previous Ryder Cup heroes, Ian Poulter, had received an offer of $29.8m (£22m) to sign up.

Asked on Wednesday about the speculation over a possible Super League, and the mooted team format of it, former world number one Westwood told reporters: "I don't know whether I want to answer questions on that. I've signed an NDA."

Westwood then added: "I think golf has got to move with the times and become more heat-of-the-moment, volatile and impactful right from the word go.

"Certainly if you do it like the team aspect, there's more action happening in more different places."

Westwood and Poulter are among a host of stars in action at the Saudi International.

Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, the defending champion, headline the field, but big names such as Louis Oosthuizen, Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Xander Schauffele and Tommy Fleetwood will also feature.