Westwood and Kaymer set for Doha battle

Lee Westwood has the chance to throw down the gauntlet to Martin Kaymer in their duel for the world number one spot at the Qatar Masters this week.

In the top spot ever since he dethroned Tiger Woods in October, Westwood is under threat following Kaymer’s runaway victory in the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago.

The Worksop golfer is among the early starters in Thursday’s opening round – he plays with defending champion Robert Karlsson and American Steve Stricker - while Kaymer’s afternoon tee-off time is in the company of Paul Casey and Miguel Angel Jimenez, first and joint second in Bahrain on Sunday.

If the German wins again this weekend he will take over as number one unless Westwood is runner-up to him, while if Kaymer is second Westwood will have to finish in the top 22 to stay ahead on the rankings.

Both skipped the second leg of the European Tour’s Middle East swing to prepare for this week and next week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, where Woods will join them in the field.

Westwood was a massive 26 strokes behind Kaymer in Abu Dhabi, failing to break par in the last three rounds of his first tournament of the season.