Lee Westwood: "It's sour grapes really"

Westwood has chosen not to defend the title after receiving an invitation to play in the Million Dollar Challenge in South Africa's Sun City.

The Australian Golf Union (AGU) has accused the 25-year-old of sending back the trophy in an unfit condition, and of failing to tell the organisers he was pulling out.

The £8,500 cup had to be repaired by a Melbourne jeweller.

But Westwood said: "The trophy was returned on 21st September and duly signed for by the Australian Golf Union as being received in perfect condition.

"I am surprised that two days prior to the Million Dollar Challenge and the Australian Open they have decided to air their grievances."

According to the AGU, the cup was broken at the base and had dents in the top when officials opened its velvet-lined shipping box.

Withdrawal warning claim

The union also claim that they learnt indirectly that Westwood was not defending the crown.

But on that Westwood countered: "I withdrew on September 2 explaining I had been invited to play in the Million Dollar Challenge with the world's top twelve golfers.

"It is a terrific opportunity for me to play against the world's best and I believe that any other professional golfer would have made the same decision."

Westwood accused the AGU of sour grapes because many of the players they wanted to compete down under had gone to Sun City instead.

This is not the first time this year that Westwood's withdrawal has upset organisers.

He and stablemate Darren Clarke were both criticised for pulling out of the Western Open in Chicago the week after the US Open in June.