GOLF - RYDER CUP: Lee Westwood's hopes of taking part the Ryder Cup were placed in doubt after his agent confirmed he has still not recovered from a serious bout of tonsillitis contracted nine days ago.

Westwood, 35, was hit by the virus while playing in Gleneagles at the end of August and was forced to miss last week's European Masters.

A week ago Westwood's agent, Chubby Chandler, described the illness as a "recurring problem" and was certain he would recover within "three of four
days".

Chandler has since confirmed that Westwood was still "not feeling 100 per cent" and would not be taking part in the Mercedes-Benz Championship which starts in Cologne on Thursday but remains hopeful of being involved at Valhalla.

"Lee is slowly recovering from this illness and we are sure it will not affect his chances of taking part in the Ryder Cup," said Chandler.

"There is no concern from him or us on that regard."

Meanwhile world number two Phil Mickelson has signed up for November's lucrative Singapore Open.
   
The American is joined as an early entrant at the Sentosa Golf Club event by South African Ernie Els, Australian Adam Scott and South Korea's Choi Kyung-ju.
   
The Asian Tour tournament will boast prize money of €3.5million, an increase of €700,000 on last year's pot.
   
Mickelson competed in last year's event which marked his first appearance on the Asian Tour.

The 2007 Singapore Open was won by Argentine Angel Cabrera, then US Open champion, who held off Fiji's Vijay Singh for a one-shot victory.