Westwood Defends World No. 1 Legacy While Contending at LIV Golf New York

Overview

• Westwood shot a 2-under 69 in the third round to sit alone in third at 10-under and head into the final round as a live contender at LIV Golf New York.
• He told reporters on Saturday that some newer fans are "brain-dead ones" for not recognizing his 22 weeks as world No. 1, a remark that sharpened discussion of how younger audiences view past champions.
• Westwood praised leader Joaquín Niemann as "one of the best players in the world," even as he acknowledged he gives up distance to younger players and has stopped setting strict expectations for results.
• At 53, Westwood can become one of the oldest winners if he closes out the event, a milestone that would surpass longtime age benchmarks set by Sam Snead and Miguel Ángel Jiménez.
• His early move to LIV Golf in 2022 and a career of 44 wins without a major remain central to how critics and fans judge his legacy, a debate the tournament has brought into sharper focus.