Lee Westwood takes Tiger Woods' No 1 crown
LEE Westwood will look down on the rest of the golf world for the first time today relishing the response from a stung Tiger Woods.
After finally ending Woods’ run of 281 successive weeks as world No1 – an achievement he described last night as the highlight of his career – Westwood wants to prove that he is fit to wear the crown.
He has the chance to do so on Thursday in China at the HSBC Champions event, where he will come face to face with Woods.
“I’m looking forward to walking out there this week being the world No1,” said Westwood. “I have a great relationship with Tiger. We have mutual respect for each other.
“We have always got on really well and I hope there will be some banter. I give him a little bit of stick and he gives me a little bit of stick back. I like those kind of rivalries.
“When Tiger was in his pomp, everyone thought he was so much better than everyone else and that No 1 was unattainable. But people go through different things in their life and form comes and goes.
“I am one of the best examples of that, having gone down to No 266 seven years ago. As I climbed the rankings and it got closer and closer, we started to talk about it being more attainable and eventually I got there.”
Westwood becomes only the third Briton in the 24-year history of the world rankings to reach No 1, despite missing the Andalucia Masters with a calf injury. His status was confirmed when the only man who could have stopped him, Martin Kaymer, finished 21st in the tournament won by Graeme McDowell.
“I haven’t had a text from Tiger yet but Martin sent me one as soon as he had finished. That meant a lot,” said Westwood. “Sitting down and saying, I’m the best in the world is a dream everyone holds. It’s good to be able to say there isn’t anyone better.”
While it would have been satisfying to have claimed the top spot on the course, he made the most of the chance to celebrate at home in Nottinghamshire.
“I’ve cracked open a couple of bottles of champagne already and there will be a couple more later. I don’t waste any time, you know me,” said Westwood, who flies out to China this afternoon.
