Not done enough: Tiger Woods admits a dip in form and lack of victories means his slip down the rankings is not surprise
Westwood's confirmation as the world's best saw him become the first European holder of the No 1 spot since Nick Faldo in 1994 and in turn brought an end to Woods' 281 week reign.But the American, who has endured a turbulent year both on and off the course, said he was not surprised by the news.
"As far as the world ranking is concerned, yes, I'm not ranked No 1 in the world," Woods said. "In order to do that you have to win and I didn't win this year."Woods had been No 1 since the week before the 2005 US Open, where he was runner-up. He won the British Open a month later and his ranking was rarely threatened since.That changed this year when Woods struggled through what has without doubt been his worst season. He took a five-month break from golf to cope with confessions of extramarital affairs, which ultimately led to divorce.
Now fully focused on golf, Woods said he was doing his best to adjust to no longer being No 1.
"As far as the emotions go, it is what it is," Woods said. "To become No 1 you have to win and win a lot to maintain it. That's the way it goes."
Westwood is followed in the rankings by Woods, PGA champion Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker but the Briton's place at the top could be short-lived.
The HSBC Championship, which gets under way this Thursday, has assembled such a strong field that Westwood, Woods, Kaymer or Mickelson could all be No 1 by the end of the week.
And with two further events on his schedule, Woods is hopeful he can claw his way back to the top.
"I've got three more events this year and, hopefully, I can end on a good note," he said. "I'm really looking forward to these events and hopefully they will spearhead into a better 2011."
Latest Top 20 leading positions:
1 Lee Westwood (Eng) 8.29pts
2 Tiger Woods (USA) 8.13
3 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 7.98
4 Phil Mickelson (USA) 7.83
5 Steve Stricker (USA) 7.20
6 Jim Furyk (USA) 7.09,
7 Paul Casey (Eng) 6.14
8 Luke Donald (Eng) 5.70
9 Rory McIlroy (NIrl) 5.44
10 Graeme McDowell (NIrl) 5.43
11 Matt Kuchar (USA) 5.33
12 Ernie Els (Rsa) 5.13
13 Dustin Johnson (USA) 4.99
14 Ian Poulter (Eng) 4.49
15 Hunter Mahan (USA) 4.48,
16 Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 4.48
17 Retief Goosen (Rsa) 4.25
18 Zach Johnson (USA) 4.06
19 Padraig Harrington (Irl) 4.00
20 Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 3.91.
Now fully focused on golf, Woods said he was doing his best to adjust to no longer being No 1.
"As far as the emotions go, it is what it is," Woods said. "To become No 1 you have to win and win a lot to maintain it. That's the way it goes."
Westwood is followed in the rankings by Woods, PGA champion Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker but the Briton's place at the top could be short-lived.
The HSBC Championship, which gets under way this Thursday, has assembled such a strong field that Westwood, Woods, Kaymer or Mickelson could all be No 1 by the end of the week.
And with two further events on his schedule, Woods is hopeful he can claw his way back to the top.
"I've got three more events this year and, hopefully, I can end on a good note," he said. "I'm really looking forward to these events and hopefully they will spearhead into a better 2011."
Latest Top 20 leading positions:
1 Lee Westwood (Eng) 8.29pts
2 Tiger Woods (USA) 8.13
3 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 7.98
4 Phil Mickelson (USA) 7.83
5 Steve Stricker (USA) 7.20
6 Jim Furyk (USA) 7.09,
7 Paul Casey (Eng) 6.14
8 Luke Donald (Eng) 5.70
9 Rory McIlroy (NIrl) 5.44
10 Graeme McDowell (NIrl) 5.43
11 Matt Kuchar (USA) 5.33
12 Ernie Els (Rsa) 5.13
13 Dustin Johnson (USA) 4.99
14 Ian Poulter (Eng) 4.49
15 Hunter Mahan (USA) 4.48,
16 Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 4.48
17 Retief Goosen (Rsa) 4.25
18 Zach Johnson (USA) 4.06
19 Padraig Harrington (Irl) 4.00
20 Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 3.91.
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