Westwood has captaincy dream

London - Lee Westwood has said he would like to captain the European team in the Ryder Cup but not until he has appeared in a few more events against the United States as a player.

Westwood, who helped Europe to a remarkable comeback win at the Medinah Country Club in September last year, hopes to add to his eight appearances in the competition before leading the team.

"I would love to be the captain of the Ryder Cup team.

"That would be a great honour," he said Tuesday.

"There have been some fantastic Ryder Cup captains and it would be lovely to follow in their footsteps.

"But I plan on playing in a few more just before that."

Westwood's remarks came as he played in a Ryder Cup-style competition to mark the official opening of the Lee Westwood Filly Course at Close House Golf Club near Wylam in Northumberland, two days after he saw a two-shot lead slip away at the British Open at Muirfield as Phil Mickelson overhauled him to take the title with a stunning final round.

"Obviously, I was a little bit disappointed not to play well on the last day and to win the Open Championship, but as a golfer, you have to take the positives out whenever you can," Westwood, yet to win one of golf's four Major titles, said.

"You don't win very often and it was a top-three (finish) in another major championship.

"I didn't feel like I had my best game but I still had a two-shot lead going into the final round, so that's a positive."