Westwood fit, strong and all set for Ryder Cup

By Tony Jimenez

LONDON (Reuters) - Lee Westwood is almost certain to be fit to play in next week's Ryder Cup, the world number three said on Tuesday.

Westwood has been sidelined for seven weeks because of a badly swollen right calf and ankle and there were fears he could miss the biennial match against the U.S. at Celtic Manor in Wales.

"I have played two rounds now and I feel fit and strong and I am really happy with the leg," the 37-year-old Briton told Reuters after competing in a two-day charity event in Scotland.

"I intend to play two lots of 18 holes over the next two days or so and then I am going to step it up to 36 holes in one day ... that's for peace of mind to make sure I can walk 36 holes in one day."

Westwood wants to guarantee he can play two rounds in a day if called upon by European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.

There will be four 18-hole foursomes and four 18-hole fourballs on Friday and Saturday next week before the competition is decided by 12 singles matches on Sunday.

Montgomerie will hope Westwood can be the team's talisman at Celtic Manor.

The Englishman has featured in six Ryder Cups and has finished in the top five at a major championship on seven occasions without achieving a breakthrough victory.

(Additional reporting by Norman Dabell, editing by Ed Osmond)