Lee Westwood is world number one
How does it feel to be the world number one?
It’s a big honour and responsibility for me to represent the sport in the public domain at a new level. It’s the pinnacle of the sport and getting here is very exciting but staying here is another thing altogether.
What has enabled you to reach the top of the rankings?
I’ve been playing very consistently for a couple of years now. You don’t all of a sudden shoot to the top of the world rankings. It’s not based like that. You have to play consistently well and well in the bigger events. I’ve finished top three in four of the last five Majors I’ve played and had three wins in the last 14 months. So you know, it’s a shame that the injury came along when it did because I was accumulating so many world ranking points up until then that it sort of delayed me getting to number one.
What are the main differences between the Lee Westwood who slipped to 266 in the world in 2002 and the Lee Westwood who now sits atop the world rankings?
I’m much more professional now and much more confident, which has come through age and experience. I take more personal responsibility for everything now.
Did you realistically believe you could become world number one during this difficult period?
I never even thought about it. It’s not something you think about at a time like that because I wanted to put the building blocks in place to get back to where I wanted to be. I was just focussed on getting back into the top 100, then top 50. It’s only since last summer that people started realising that getting to number one was obtainable.
Who have been the pivotal people in helping you get to world number one and how have they helped you?
I’m very luck to be surrounded by such wonderful people, particularly my family. I always listen to Chubby Chandler, my manager, because he gives good advice and I’ve got the best coach and caddie in the world in Pete Cowen and Billy Foster respectively.
Do you feel you need to win a Major to vindicate and cement your position as world number one?
No. Obviously I would like to win one because I feel like I ought to because I have the game to do it, but it wouldn’t be to vindicate or cement my position as world number one. I’ve had quite a good career so far, but a Major has been missing and I’ve performed well in the Majors over the last couple of years. I’ve given myself a lot of chances and I haven’t managed to finish it off. I suppose getting to world number one, you look at the stats and the previous world ones and that they have all won Major championships; it would be nice to join that club as well. You know, all I can do is keep putting myself in position and giving myself chances at winning, which I have done over the last couple of years.
Who do you think you’ll be doing battle with for the top spot in the coming months and why those guys in particular?
You’ve just got to look at the world rankings to see Martin Kaymer, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson just behind me. If anyone can string a good run of results together, like Martin Kaymer has done at the end of this season, then they’ve got a chance. Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia may have dropped of a little bit of late but they have so much talent that they can definitely come back into it. I think golf is a lot more interesting when it’s more volatile with who can become world number one.
Will you be playing more events in America next year?
No, it will be the same as this year. I’ve committed myself to the European Tour and I’ll be playing 10 or 12 events in America. What I’m doing at the moment has enabled me to get to world number so one it must be pretty right for me, so why change it?
The world rankings
- Lee Westwood
- Tiger Woods
- Martin Kaymer
- Phil Mickelson
- Steve Stricker
- Jim Furyk
- Paul Casey
- Luke Donald
- Graeme McDowell
- Rory McIlroy
Lee Westwood’s number ones
Favourite meal?
Roast beef and yorkshire pudding.
Favourite music artist?
Elvis and currently Take That.
Favourite film?
Grease.
Favourite animal?
Dog.
Favourite car?
Jaguar XJ Supersport.
Favourite TV programme?
Merlin.
Favourite golf course?
Pebble Beach.
Favourite golfer?
Greg Norman.
Favourite advice?
Work hard, play hard.
Favourite football team?
Nottingham Forest.
Favourite holiday destination?
Sandy Lane, Barbados.
Favourite colour?
Purple.