Westwood relaxed about battle for World number 1

Dubai : Lee Westwood is continually facing a barrage of questions from press over his world number one status, which could be lost this weekend if Martin Kaymer wins The Dubai World Championship and Westwood falls beyond tied for second in the tournament leaderboard.

If Kaymer, currently tied for fourth after day two with scores of 67-70 making him seven under par, finishes second after four days of play Westwood can afford to finish as low down the field as 27th.

Westwood is currently third with scores of 69-67 making him eight under par.

Close clash

Westwood said, "It is what it is. It's close. Whoever plays well will go to world No 1 or stay at world number one. It's not really something you pay much attention to."

Westwood had earlier told press midweek that he "didn't give a monkeys" about the rankings.

Adding jokingly at his short tenure at the number one spot since succeeding Tiger Woods a month ago, Westwood said yesterday, "I'm a bit old at it now; I've been at it a month. It's obviously something I'd like to hold on to. But I'm not going to hold onto it forever and if I don't play well and somebody else plays better, then they will deserve to be world No 1."

Cash rankings

The world No 1 spot is fathomed from points gained by the golfers, while the European No 1 spot is sorted from cash rankings on the Race to Dubai/European Order of Merit table.

If Kaymer wins the European Tour-ending Dubai World Championship he is the Race to Dubai-winning European No 1 — no doubt.

However, it depends on Westwood's performance this weekend, if Kaymer is to secure the global top spot.