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Westwood has Tiger firmly in his sights

Lee Westwood has been in tremendous form all week at Celtic Manor © Getty Images

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Lee Westwood has been hailed as "one of the best players in the world" by his team captain Colin Montgomerie, as the Englishman leapfrogged Phil Mickelson to second in the world rankings.

Westwood has been Europe's talisman all week, capping off some brilliant displays by teaming up with Luke Donald to thrash world No. 1 Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker 6&5 on Sunday, and leads out the European team in the opening singles match against Stricker.

With Europe needing 14-and-a-half points to regain the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, the 37-year-old was given the task of leading Europe out in the delayed 12-match singles schedule - and Montgomerie believes Westwood is in the form of his life.

"Lee Westwood has been unbelievable," he said. "In the team room, in the locker room, on the range, on the course.

"The way Lee is playing right now, you'd have to say he's up there as one of the best players in the world. Right up there with Tiger and Phil [Mickelson]."

European team-mate Padraig Harrington echoed Montgomerie's words. He said: "In the next two or three events, you can't see him not getting to world No 1. He's a fantastic player, a great leader and our players have trusted in Lee being out in front."

It may not be long before Harrington's predictions become reality - Westwood has just climbed to No. 2 in the world rankings for the first time in his career, and he will end Woods' five-year reign at the top if he finishes first or second at the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland next weekend.

World Rankings: 1. Tiger Woods (USA), 2. Lee Westwood (Eng), 3. Phil Mickelson (USA), 4. Steve Stricker (USA), 5. Jim Furyk (USA), 6. Martin Kaymer (GER), 7. Paul Casey (Eng), 8. Luke Donald (Eng), 9. Rory McIlroy (NI), 10. Ernie Els (RSA), 11. Matt Kuchar (USA), 12. Dustin Johnson (USA), 13. Graeme McDowell (NI), 14. Edoardo Molinari (ITA), 15. Ian Poulter (Eng), 16. Hunter Mahan (USA), 17. Retief Goosen (RSA), 18. Anthony Kim (USA), 19. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), 20. Zach Johnson (USA)

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