Westwood overtakes Woods as number one

SHANGHAI (AP):

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 in Spain.

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.

"Growing up, when people ask what you want to achieve, you turn around say, "I want to be the best in the world'," Westwood said.