WOODS, Now World No 2 in Trouble, Drops to Ninth Place in Shanghai

Britain's Lee Westwood, who ended Tiger's reign as world number one this week, carded a two-under-par 70 to remain one off the lead, according to the article below. Tiger was having a bad day today and ended up in ninth spot after the second round. I hope that things improve this weekend. Tiger wll be playing in the Australian Masters Nov 11 - 14.      . . . June


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Woods drops to ninth, Westwood stays second in Shanghai
Sport | Reuters:

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - World number two Tiger Woods struggled on the greens to drop to tied ninth after the second round of the HSBC Champions tournament on Friday, five shots behind leader Francesco Molinari of Italy.

Britain's Lee Westwood, who ended Woods's reign as world number one this week, carded a two-under-par 70 to remain one off the lead.

In a frustrating round, Woods lipped the pin five times, twice with short putts, and cancelled out five birdies with a corresponding number of bogeys to finish with par 72.


"I struggled a little bit today," the American told reporters. "The pins were tough. I didn't hit very good, so the score could have been worse, but also it could have been a lot better."


Westwood produced three birdies during another solid performance but the 37-year-old missed on a likely fourth when he ignored his caddie's advice over the choice of club on his second shot out of the rough on the 18th.


"Billy (Foster) said it would be best to lay up and go with a full shot because of where the flag was cut," Westwood said.


"I obviously knew better as a player and hit a five-wood and left it in just about the worst place I could. But today, as per usual, I should have listened to my caddie."


The 37-year-old, on eight-under-par is in a strong position to defend his number one world ranking from Woods, Phil Mickelson and German Martin Kaymer who could all take over at the top with a victory in Shanghai.


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LEE WESTWOOD Takes Top Spot. Tiger Woods is Now World No. 2

 Tiger Woods finally lost his No 1 place in the world Golf Rankings. It was inevitable, but it really is a testament to how far ahead of the pack Tiger was to have kept that ranking for so long. For now, the No 1 spot goes to Lee Westwood of England, the first European in 16 years to hold golf's top ranking. He called it the most satisfying achievement of his career. But don't sell Tiger short. He has the ability to grab it right back
    . . . June

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Tiger Woods is No. 2 as Westwood Takes Top Spot
CBS Evening News - CBS News:

The turmoil in his personal life has taken a toll on Tiger Woods. After a reign of more than five years as the world's number one golfer, Woods has dropped to second behind a player who's never won a major.

CBS News correspondent Tony Guida reports that when Woods congratulated Lee Westwood at a tournament four weeks ago, he knew Westwood was gunning for his crown. Sunday, after 281 weeks at the top, Woods is no. 1 no longer.

'Tiger clearly has not been the most dominant player in the world for a long, long time,' says CBS Sports' Jim Nantz.

It's mostly because Woods took a five-month break from competition this season. He needed time to try to patch his life back together after confessing to a series of extramarital affairs.

"I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in," Woods said in a press conference.

Elin Woods was having none of it. The couple divorced and Tiger's game fell apart. He hasn't finished higher than fourth since.

"It's hard to play with that kind of pressure," says golfer Lawrence Elliott.

Inspired by Woods, Elliott took up golf five years ago. He worked hard to make himself a 6 handicap. Elliott thinks Woods will work hard too.

"He'll be back next year strong as ever," says Elliott.

For now, the laurels go to Lee Westwood of England, the first European in 16 years to hold golf's top ranking. He called it the most satisfying achievement of his career.

"The game went younger and it went global," says Nantz.

Nantz notes Westwood is just one of a new crop of top players who will challenge Woods for supremacy, but Nantz says don't bet against Woods.

"You never sell Tiger Woods short when it comes to what he's going to do in golf," says Nantz.

What Woods does this week at a tournament in Shanghai could put him right back at no. 1.

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