Lee Westwood misses out on replacing Tiger Woods as No 1

Published on Sunday 10 October 2010 21:28

Lee Westwood missed the chance to replace Tiger Woods as world No 1 as Germany's Martin Kaymer came through to win the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews yesterday.

Kaymer fired a six-under-par 66 to claim his third European Tour title in a row while Ryder Cup colleague Westwood - needing a top-two finish to end the Woods reign which now stretches to 279 consecutive weeks - struggled to a 73 and finished tied 11th.

Westwood, troubled by a calf problem during the tournament, said he planned to take about a month off in order to let the injured muscle fully heal.

The last European to win three PGA Tour events in a row was former world No 1 Nick Faldo in 1989 and Kaymer's triumph lifted him to fourth in the world rankings.

He birdied the closing two holes to finish three strokes clear of Briton Danny Willett, with overnight leader John Parry third after a double-bogey at the 14th derailed his title bid.

Defending champion Simon Dyson closed with a 66 and a share of fifth place.

Since winning the US PGA Championship in August, Kaymer has won the Dutch Open, been a member of Europe's winning Ryder Cup team, and now managed a first success at the Home of Golf.

"It was always one of my dreams to win here at St Andrews," said Kaymer. "I can still remember my first day I came out here when I was an amateur. So it was very, very special for me to win here today."

Graeme McDowell said this week he does intend take out membership of the PGA Tour, but Kaymer has yet to decide whether to follow his fellow Ryder Cup winner.

"It doesn't interest me at this stage one way or another," said Kaymer.