Associated Press
 Wednesday, April 4
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Lee Westwood, Europe's top golfer last season, withdrew from The Masters on Tuesday to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.

 Lee Westwood
Westwood

Laurae Westwood is expecting Saturday, when the third round is scheduled at Augusta National.

Westwood has been saying for more than a month that he would probably skip The Masters if his wife had not given birth before this week.

"I am extremely disappointed to miss The Masters," the 27-year-old Englishman said in statement. "Although I have delayed making a decision for as long as possible, I wanted to make sure I withdrew before the draw was made. However, all being well, I very much hope to be back in Augusta next year with my family."

Westwood played at Bay Hill and The Players Championship in preparation for The Masters. He was even scheduled to take part in a news conference Tuesday at Augusta National.

But with his wife so close to giving birth, Westwood notified the tournament committee that he would not be coming, reducing the field to 93 players.

"I think family is much more important than any golf tournament," said Darren Clarke, another star on the European Tour and one of Westwood's closest friends. "There's a lot of majors to be played and this is his first child. I think you've got to respect his decision to stay at home."

Clarke skipped the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee, held a week after his first child, Tyrone, was born.

The following year, Phil Mickelson played the U.S. Open with his wife, Amy, expecting their first child. He had a beeper in his bag and vowed he would leave if his wife went into labor -- even in the final round with a chance to win.

As it turned out, Mickelson was leading by one stroke with three holes to play. Payne Stewart rallied to win by making a 15-foot par putt on the final hole. The following day, Amy Mickelson gave birth to a 7-pound, 4-ounce girl, Amanda Brynn.

Westwood played The Masters the last four years. His highest finish was a tie for sixth in 1999. He missed the cut last year.




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