Lee Westwood ended 2010 as the world's top golfer and it's a remarkable achievement for a player who was languishing outside the world's top 250 in 2002.

Westwood's victory at the Earth Course in Dubai in 2009, where he fended off the challenge of Rory McIlroy for the prize, took his season earnings to the near £4 million mark.

His progress continued in 2010 and despite struggling with injury in the second half of the year, he was the man to topple Tiger Woods from the world No. 1 spot.

The Nottinghamshire native went so close to ending his hunt for a first major at the Masters in 2010, missing out by three shots to an inspired Phil Mickelson after leading for much of the event.

Westwood's form in the majors has been the highlight of his return to the top of the tree. In 2009 he finished third at the Open and US PGA Championship, while his win in the Portugal Masters saw him move second behind Nick Faldo in the list of England's winning-most golfers. And as well as finishing second behind Mickelson at the Masters, he filled the same spot behind Louis Oosthuizen at the Open.

Westwood turned pro in 1993 and he rose steadily through the ranks be named European Golfer of the Year in 1998. He did not rest on his laurels, as Westwood repeated the feat in 2000 - a season that saw him secure seven tour titles.

He took a break from the game following the birth of his son in 2001 and slipped down the rankings, which prompted an overhaul of his swing. It was not until 2007 that Westwood returned to the elite with two tournament wins.

Westwood is certainly a team player, as his record in the Ryder Cup demonstrates. He made his debut in 1997 and featured again in 1999 and 2002 before sinking the putt that retained the trophy in 2004. Westwood went unbeaten through the 2004 and 2006 events and he played through injury to help the side claim victory in stunning circumstances at Celtic Manor in 2010.

Westwood finished third at a major in both 2011 and 2012, slamming his putting performance at the 2012 Masters for letting another shot at a first major slip from his grasp. He also had a shot at regaining the world No. 1 ranking at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, but a semi-final exit left Luke Donald in top spot.

Titles at the Nordea Masters and the Asian Tour's CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters followed, but another major charge went awry at the US Open when he lost his ball during the final round while three strokes behind the leaders. He went on to finish 10th.

Westwood also played his part in Europe's 2012 Ryder Cup victory at Medinah, extending his run of playing in every staging of the event since 1997.

Career High: That major title still eludes Westwood, but he became the first Briton since Nick Faldo to be crowned the world No. 1 in October 2010.

Career Low: Dropped down the rankings to the extent that he slipped out of the world's top 250 in 2002.

Quotes: "After taking a break from golf when my son was born the week after the Masters in 2001, I came back a mess. I had won the PGA European Tour money title in 2000, then fell to 52nd in 2001 and continued to play poorly for much of 2002.

"I didn't have any doubt I could play better. Winning three points at the Ryder Cup in 2002 only reinforced that idea. I was determined to get my form back and become an even better player than I was before. You don't win tournaments by playing well and thinking poorly."

Trivia: Planned to get married during the week of the 1997 Masters, but postponed the wedding when learning he had secured a place in the field.