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Westwood will replace Woods as No. 1

Lee Westwood is struggling for fitness © PA Photos

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Lee Westwood will become the world No. 1 at the end of the month after injury forced him to scrap plans to compete in October.

The Ryder Cup star has decided to take a break from golf, having struggled with a long-standing leg injury at the Alfred Dunhill Championship over the weekend.

Westwood would have usurped Woods at the top of the rankings with a top-two finish at that tournament, but he could only manage to end the event in 11th.

The 37-year-old was intending to defend his Portugal Masters title next week - but, now he has decided not to tee it up at Vilamoura, he will replace Woods - who is not back in action until November 4 - as No. 1 at the end of the month.

"I'll take it any way," Westwood said. "I've had a great year until getting injured. Look at all the world ranking points I've won - I was leading that by a mile before my injury."

Westwood, who is desperate to be at 100% when he attempts to clinch the Masters title next year, admits that he is unsure when he will return to golf. "I haven't had a chance to get it healed," he said. "I tried my hardest to get back to the Ryder Cup fully fit and got to 80%, which I thought was good enough with the adrenaline.

"But that was a tough week and this is not an easy one - six-hour rounds and only two days off between finishing the Ryder Cup and starting here.

"It's just got progressively more agitated and achy as the week's gone on. I haven't been able to put in proper practice sessions since before June and you don't expect to maintain the same level and improve if you don't practise.

"You won't see me coming back until I can practise fully and do myself justice out here."

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