For the first time in more than five years, Tiger Woods is no longer golf’s No. 1 player.
Lee Westwood of England took the top ranking yesterday, becoming the first European in 16 years to be No. 1 in the world and only the fourth player to get there without having won a major.
For now, this feels like one for Westwood.
“Whenever you can sit down and say, ‘I’m the best in the world right now,’ it’s a dream that everybody holds,” Westwood said, calling it the most satisfying achievement of his career.
The final step was anticlimactic.
Westwood, who has finished only one tournament since the British Open while recovering from a calf injury, knew he would go to No. 1 as long as PGA champion Martin Kaymer did not finish among the top two at the Andalucia Masters.
Kaymer tied for 21st, and when the German walked off the 18th at Valderrama, champagne began pouring in Westwood’s home in England, where he shared the moment with his parents and about 20 friends.
Westwood is followed in the rankings by Woods, Kaymer, Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker.
Woods has been introduced as the world’s No. 1 player for the last 281 weeks, dating to the week before the 2005 U.S. Open, where he was the runner-up. He captured the British Open a month later, and his ranking rarely has been threatened since.
EUROPEAN TOUR
In Sotogrande, Spain, Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland shot a 74 to win the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama.
PGA/ASIAN TOUR
In Selangor, Malaysia, Ben Crane won the inaugural Asia Pacific Classic with an 8-foot birdie putt on the last hole. Crane beat Brian Davis of England by one shot.
CHAMPIONS TOUR
In San Antonio, Monday qualifier Rod Spittle won the AT&T Championship for his first Champions Tour victory, beating Jeff Sluman with a par on the first hole of a playoff.
LPGA TOUR
In Incheon, South Korea, Na Yeon Choi successfully defended her title in the Hana Bank Championship, shooting a 3-under 69 for a two-stroke victory over Vicky Hurst.