Westwood, on the back of helping Europe to Ryder Cup glory on Monday, needs a top-two finish to usurp American Tiger Woods at the top of the rankings.
There are three changes in the top 10, where Tiger Woods has reigned as number one since June 12 2005.
Top pros such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy play all over the world and no longer are accustomed to a certain course setup.
The 37-year-old Ryder Cup star needs to finish in the top two to replace Tiger Woods as world number one but ended 10 shots off the pace at two under.
For the top income players like Tiger Woods, the caddie is the only person the can talk to while trying to avoid a media full court press and often the person they spend as much (or more) time with as their family.
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The introduction almost certainly brought about the demise of the thylacine or Tasmanian tiger, the top indigenous predator - probably because the dog was a more efficient hunter.
Early starters prospered in good scoring conditions on the 7, 468-yard course in New York State, including world No. 3 Tiger Woods and top-ranked new PGA champion Rory McIlroy, who were paired together with former Masters champion Zach Johnson.
But collectively, these factors might reduce overall economic impact by 1-3% this year, as opposed to the 5-10% it may have fallen if Tiger was on top of his game physically and mentally AND if the timing of the announcement pre-dated the event by several months.
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Westwood, needing to finish in the first two to dethrone Tiger Woods at the top of the world rankings, was 10 shots back after the second day.
The American, who would have overtaken Tiger Woods at the top of the rankings with victory in Texas, carded 71 and 73 for four over to miss out by six shots.
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Still with two years of high school to complete in Honolulu, Wie insists she still intends to go to college, with Stanford University in California - Tiger Woods' alma mater - her top choice.
The top two golfers in the world, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, have both spoken in favor of a ban.
CNN: Golf's major tours split over proposed belly putter ban
The top two golfers in the world, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, have both spoke in favor of a ban.
CNN: Golf's major tours split over proposed belly putter ban
Westwood, who carded a two-under-par 70 at Kingsbarns to lie four off the lead, would usurp Tiger Woods as world number one with a top-two finish.
Tiger Woods had looked set to finish towards the top only for an outrageous piece of misfortune to cost him at the 15th.
This looks like a non sequitor considering my weighting in energy, but not if oil futures top out now, my call, but a lady or tiger situation.
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To return to the top spot at the age of 37 is an amazing accomplishment even for Tiger.
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Rounding out the top five is Sam Alexis Woods, the darling daughter of superstar golfer Tiger Woods and his model wife Elin Nordegren.
When Tiger Woods wakes up tomorrow morning he will not be the top-ranked player in the world for the first time in five years.
Notably missing from the list: Tiger Woods, whose scores placed him at or close to the top less than a year ago, according to Philpott.
One of the main issues had been whether top players would compete in the Olympics but the game's brightest star, Tiger Woods, had indicated on Tuesday he would play.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are tied for second on that list, with 10 top-fives each.
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One of the main issues has been whether top players will compete in the Olympics when they already have a full schedule, but superstar Tiger Woods indicated on Tuesday he would play.
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