Westwood knocks Tiger off top spot

LEE WESTWOOD has been officially confirmed as golf’s new world number one.

Westwood replaces Tiger Woods at the top of the rankings after Ryder Cup team-mate Martin Kaymer failed to finish in the top two at the Andalucia Masters.

Kaymer remains third in the rankings but the USPGA champion is one of four players who can claim top spot at this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Westwood, Woods, Kaymer and Phil Mickelson are all in action at Sheshan International Golf Club, with the quartet separated by less than half a point.

Six European players now make up the top 10, with Graeme McDowell’s victory in the Andalucia Masters lifting the US Open champion from 13th to 10th.

Woods admits his poor form means it comes as no surprise to lose his number one ranking.

“I’m not ranked number one. In order to do that you have win golf tournaments and I didn’t win a golf tournament this year,” Woods said at an exhibition event in Japan.

“That’s how I got there in the first place and that’s how I maintained that position for a long time.

“Hopefully I can win some events – I’m playing three more – and get it turned around.

“As far as emotions, it is what it is. As I said, you have to win in order to become number one in the world and you have to win a lot to maintain it. That’s just the way it goes.”

Woods’ last victory came in the Australian Masters in November last year, just days before revelations emerged about his private life following a car crash outside his house in Florida.

He is due to defend his title in Melbourne next week and also play in his own tournament in California at the start of December and added: “Hopefully I can end on a good note.

“I’m looking forward to the next three events, I’ve done some pretty good work with Sean (Foley, his coach) since the USPGA.”