• World Rankings

We have not seen the last of Woods - Westwood

ESPN staff
November 1, 2010
Lee Westwood believes it is a 'very exciting time for golf' © Getty Images
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Lee Westwood is refusing to write off Tiger Woods after he ended the American's 281-week stay at the pinnacle of golf's world rankings.

Martin Kaymer's failure to finish in the top two at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters confirmed Westwood as the new world No. 1, despite the Briton not even hitting a ball. The landmark moment marks a magnificent turnaround for a player ranked world No. 266 in 2003.

When Woods won the Australian Masters less than a year ago, his points average was 16.17, clearly ahead of the total boasted by then-No. 5 Westwood, who sat on 5.92 points. Woods has heard his name introduced as the world No. 1 for the past five years, but a break from the game to address his confessed extra-marital affairs saw his giant lead eaten away.

Both men now head for the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, knowing they are two of four players - along with Martin Kaymer and Phil Mickelson - who could finish the week as world No. 1. Westwood says he is fit and ready to defend his place, but he is not overlooking the backlash of Woods.

"I would not write Tiger off as quickly as that," he said. "He has gone away and come back before. He will be there or thereabouts. If anyone can put a run together it's so close they could take the No. 1 spot.

"But it's taken me a long time to reach world No. 1, I'm not going to worry about who I am going to lose it to. This week is going to be very exciting for golf, with four people having a chance to get to No. 1, but I like those kind of rivalries."

Westwood would have loved to have clinched top spot with the sinking of a putt at the 18th on Sunday, but he had to enjoy the moment from the comfort of his own home due to a calf injury. That problem is now on the mend, and the Worksop-born putter is determined to prove he belongs as the game's figurehead.

"It [the calf] feels as good as it has for three or four months," Westwood said. "It's not quite right, but it's nearly there. I have not played a lot so I'm going to be very rusty but I'm not using that as an excuse. I've been hitting balls and hitting it well and I'm looking forward to getting out to China. Being world No. 1 will give me that extra urge, if I needed it. It's a great honour and a big responsibility. It certainly sounds and feels good right now."

Graeme McDowell proved the eventual winner of the Valderrama Masters, and victory lifts the US Open champion into the world top ten for the first time.

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

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