Lee Westwood sees red over Gleneagles greens

LEE WESTWOOD today joined Darren Clarke in a scathing attack on the course where the 2014 Ryder Cup will be staged – and said he felt sorry for those battling this week for places in next month's match.

"You can't bring the Ryder Cup onto greens like this," said the former European number one after a one-under-par 72 on the opening day of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Clarke savaged the PGA Centenary Course last year, but was mild in comparison to his stablemate.

Westwood's round included a four-putt double bogey on the 461-yard fifth, the last three of them from inside two feet.

"They really do need digging up," he added. "I'm not a bad putter – I can't remember the last time I three-putted from 18 inches."

He also attacked the undulations of the seventh green. "I think my kids could come up with a better design in an afternoon," he added.

As for the six players trying to grab the last three automatic spots in Nick Faldo's side – and those trying to impress for a wild card – Westwood stated: "They are the guys I feel sorry for.

"Unfortunately this tournament could be won or lost on the greens.

"It's a big deal as it is and you don't want to stand over a three-footer wondering if the ball is going to run straight."

Heavy recent rain has softened the putting surfaces, but Westwood was not prepared to accept that as an excuse.

"I said last year the greens were awful and something needed to be done. Nothing has been done.

"When you're between two valleys in Scotland you've got to expect rain," he continued.

He was one of the early starters too.

"What chance have you got when half the field have been over them?" he asked.

Westwood was playing with Oliver Wilson, who is in the 10th and last automatic qualifying position going into this, the last counting event.

Wilson managed only a three-over 76, but the good news for him was German Martin Kaymer, his closest challenger, could do no better.

However, Liverpool's Nick Dougherty, who could grab a debut with a first or second-place finish at the weekend, battled away for a level-par 73.

Frenchman Gregory Havret, winner of the Scottish Open last year, somehow managed a five-under 68 and led by two from his compatriot Christian Cevaer, Scot Gary Orr and England's Paul Broadhurst.

Paul McGinley's already slim hopes of a wild card were not helped by a 76.

Among the later starters were Clarke and Colin Montgomerie, two more of the wild card contenders, and Justin Rose, Soren Hansen and Ross Fisher, who occupy positions eight, nine and 13 in the cup race.