• PGA Tour

Westwood hunts down Woods' No. 1 spot

ESPN staff
October 6, 2010
Lee Westwood starred at the Ryder Cup © Getty Images
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Lee Westwood has hit back at his critics by insisting that he deserves to reach the world No. 1 spot - even though he has never won a major.

The Englishman has the chance to topple Tiger Woods, who has been top of the rankings for the last 278 weeks, if he can secure a top-two finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship this week.

After playing a starring role in Europe's victorious Ryder Cup campaign - contributing 2 ½ points - Westwood feels that the circumstances are right for him to overhaul Woods.

But the 37-year-old has hinted that he will only fully appreciate the magnitude of reaching No. 1 if Woods, who is yet to win a tournament in 2010, can return to his devastating best.

"I want to be world No. 1, especially if it means taking on Tiger when he's playing great," Westwood said."It would be great to stand there and think there is no-one better in the world at what I do - who wouldn't love to do that?

"Overtaking Tiger is the goal and I want Tiger playing well. It will be even better for that. Right now Tiger is the best player in the world according to the rankings. And I'm a great believer that the world rankings are right.

"A lot of people say it would be a shame if I got to No. 1 because I have never won a major. But that is not what it is all about - Louis Oosthuizen won the Open but that doesn't mean he is the No.1."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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