Lee scents Ryder Cup lifeline in Cologne

Lee Westwood may be stymied in his attempt to play on the European Tour next week, even though that is where he wants to complete his build-up to the Ryder Cup.

Another bout of tonsilitis - he suffered the same thing before the 2006 match - forced him to withdraw from the Omega European Masters, which began today in Switzerland.

Westwood had not entered next week's German Masters in Cologne, but in view of his unexpected week off he has now asked for an invitation.

However, with the tournament having a restricted field of 78, there are only six invite places available and they have already been allocated to Americans Fred Couples and John Daly, German trio Bernhard Langer, Alex Cejka and Marcel Siem and Daniel Chopra, of Sweden.

Chris Wood, the 20-year-old from Bristol who turned professional after finishing fifth in The Open, was struggling to make headway in the Swiss Alps today.

Now in his fourth European Tour start - he is allowed seven invites to earn around £150,000 and avoid having to attend the qualifying school this winter - was two over par after 15 holes at Crans-sur-Sierre.