Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Round Three

Westwood & Kaymer pile pressure on Parry

ESPN staff

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Lee Westwood fired a 66 © Getty Images

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Lee Westwood battled through the pain barrier on day three at the Alfred Dunhill Championships to make significant strides in his bid to overhaul Tiger Woods at the top of the world rankings.

The 37-year-old, who will become world No. 1 for the first time in his career if he finishes in the top two, is at eight-under - five shots off leader John Parry, four off second-placed duo Martin Kaymer and Alvaro Quiros - with one round to play. It was a remarkable show of resilience from Westwood as he continues to fight against the discomfort of a calf injury.

The problem did not seem to affect him as he fired a superlative six-under 66, which featured seven birdies, at the Carnoustie course - one of three being used for the championship, alongside St Andrews and Kingsbarn. However, the Englishman admitted at the end of his round that he is giving serious consideration to a taking a break from golf after the tournament in order to rest his leg.

"[The leg] is sore, I last about nine holes and then it starts to get a bit sore and starts cramping up a bit," Westwood said. "It hasn't unduly put me off the last three days, it's just niggling in the back of my mind and I don't want to make it worse. I'd like to get it sorted so I can give 110%.

"I'm going to weigh it up [taking a break from golf], I don't know what the consequences are yet. I don't have to play anywhere, I'd like to play next week [at the Portugal Masters] and then I've got some big tournaments coming up. But I really need to get it right because my main priority is to have a chance at the Masters next year."

Even if Westwood fails in his pursuit of a top-two finish, there is a bittersweet scenario that could see him become world No. 1 - if injury forces him to miss next week's Portugal Masters, he will automatically pass Woods at the end of the month.

But first he must concentrate on overhauling Ryder Cup team-mate Kaymer, the best-placed of the European team that won at Celtic Manor. The German, looking every inch a future No.1 himself, is well placed to win a third tournament on the bounce after a faultless 68 fired him to 11-under.

Another of the Ryder Cup heroes, Graeme McDowell, revealed that his performance so far - he is six-under through 54 holes, firing a 72 on Saturday - has exceeded his wildest expectations. "It was one of those days that could have been, but that's golf and I really can't complain at the minute - they've generally been going in the hole lately," McDowell said.

"I had zero expectations coming in here, mentally I hadn't put myself under much pressure. I've been out there trying to have a good time, really just playing free, loose golf. It's actually worked pretty well - I've putted well to keep myself in there."

Elsewhere, controversial wildcard pick Padraig Harrington looked relieved to be free of the Ryder Cup burden as he moved to seven-under.

For the final day of action, all those who make the cut will compete at the Old Course at St Andrews.