World number three Lee Westwood has admitted that he is not sure how the loss of his caddie could affect him in the next six weeks.
Westwood's right-hand man Billy Foster was ruled out of action for over a month after suffering a knee injury while preparing for a charity football match.
Westwood told the Daily Telegraph: "Billy's an integral part of the team and is very important. I'm not sure how it will affect me."
Foster will be replaced by Fred Couples's caddy Casey Kerr as the veteran American is out with flu, a situation Westwood described as "lucky".
Westwood went to add that Foster's absence will be missed at a crucial time of the year as the 39-year-old looks to win an elusive major.
He also insisted that fans should not feel sorry for him after coming close to one of the big big tournaments on numerous occasions.
"Listen if anyone out there does feel sorry me and thinks, 'Poor Lee Westwood, he's come so close', they should have a reality check," he added. "I get up every day and play the best courses in the world and I make a fortune at it.
"So I've a bit of advice for people who feel sympathy for me - don't."
Westwood will be competing with the help of Kerr at the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina this weekend.
Pascal Lemesre
