Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942

For the first time in 281 weeks, Tiger Woods is no longer the world’s top ranked golfer. England’s Lee Westwood moved into the top spot in the Official World Golf Rankings after Sunday’s action, dropping Tiger to No. 2 in the world. Germany’s Martin Kaymer moved up to No. 3, but missed a chance to move past Woods and Westwood at the Andalucia Masters in Spain, finishing 21st.

Westwood is just the 13th golfer to hold the top spot in the 24-year history of the OWGR. Westwood will need to play well at this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai or risk losing the top spot after only one week, which would tie Tom Lehman for the shortest reign ever in the top spot. No. 2 Tiger, No. 3 Kaymer and No. 4 Phil Mickelson all have a chance to replace Westwood with a top performance at Shanghai.

Tiger knew this was coming, and admitted he no longer deserved to the No. 1 honor. “I’m not ranked No. 1,” said Tiger. “In order to do that you have win golf tournaments and I didn’t win a golf tournament this year. That’s how I got there in the first place and that’s how I maintained that position for a long time.”

Westwood was pleased to get the honor, but admitted it adds even more pressure to win his first major. “It’s a great position to be in,” said Westwood. “Everybody is shooting at you because you’ve got something everybody else wants. … Every other world number one has got one so I’m under a little bit more pressure to win a major.”

Westwood also shared that he was running errands for his wife when he got the news that he’d soon own the title of No. 1 Golfer in the World.

I’d been sent to the supermarket to buy some mashed potatoes and something else when my caddie rang me to tell me Martin Kaymer wasn’t playing very well and I was about to be world number one. It took me a while to find my shopping after that. It was one of those quiet moments where you have a little smile to yourself.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell won the Andalucia Masters and moved to No. 10 in the world. McDowell also is second behind Kaymer in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai standings, with €2,638,866 in prize money to Kaymer’s €3,167,447.