ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Lee Westwood is set to replace Tiger Woods at the top of the rankings Oct. 31 after saying Sunday he does not expect to play again until November because of an ankle injury.
The Englishman will climb to No. 1 if he does not return before the end of the month and Woods follows through with his intention not to play again until the HSBC Champions on Nov. 4-7.
Westwood has been struggling with a right ankle injury and finished tied for 11th at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Asked when he might play again, Westwood said: “At the earliest probably HSBC, maybe Dubai (Nov. 25-28).”
Woods has topped the rankings for over five years, since the week before the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Woods will have been at No. 1 for 279 weeks in Monday’s rankings.
