LIV Golf's Lee Westwood defends his career against "brain-dead" critics

Lee Westwood appeared to bristle at suggestions his career has fallen short of expectations after moving into contention at LIV Golf New York.

Westwood carded a third-round 69 at Trump National Bedminster in New Jersey to reach 10-under and will begin the final round four shots behind 54-hole leader Joaquin Niemann.

Victory would give Westwood a maiden LIV Golf title and his first professional victory since the 2020 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

"I think anybody within golf that is a golf enthusiast knows I was world number one," Westwood said when asked if he was satisfied with his career.

Westwood became world number one in November 2010, leapfrogging Tiger Woods and ending the American's 281-week reign at the top of the rankings.

He has also won 44 professional events and boasts one of the most distinguished records in European Ryder Cup history, earning 24 points for the blue and gold from 11 appearances.

"I think it's just kind of that new crowd," he added. 

"There's a few brain-dead ones that you wouldn't even bother talking to, to be perfectly honest.

"No, I'm pretty happy with the way the last 34 years have gone or whatever it is.

"I'm just a young lad from Worksop. Golf wasn't really in my family. Nobody in my family played.

"I took it up one summer holiday and then sometime in 2010, 2011 was the best player in the world.

"I figure that's a fairly decent achievement."

Westwood added: "I'm just pleased to be in good enough shape, my game still be at an elite level where I can compete with these guys that are some of the best in the world.

"Joaco is one of the best players in the world, in my eyes. You've got Jon Rahm and Bryson and Tyrrell, and they're not even in contention this week.

"At 53 years of age, I think it's quite an achievement to still be mixing it with the youngsters.

"If you go out there and watch us all playing, I'm giving up quite an advantage off the tee.

"Not all the time, I get the occasional one out there, but in general, I'm playing a different golf course, really."

LIV Golf's future remains uncertain.

Earlier in the week, the league's chief executive Scott O'Neil said LIV had secured an unnamed lead investor to help fund the league in 2027.

Since its launch in 2022, LIV has been bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, although the PIF said in April it would end its multibillion-dollar backing at the end of the season.

The next iteration of LIV is expected to feature 10 events, down from 14.

Asked about his prospective schedule in 2027, Westwood said: "I think it's going to have to be a fine balance.

"I can't play too much. But I'd like to play a little bit more than nine tournaments, as where we sit now.

"I'll play a few more towards the end of the season. Johann Rupert [CEO of Richemont] was very kind and gave me an invite for the Dunhill, and I'm playing Hong Kong, the tournament in the Philippines and the Saudi International, so there are four on the schedule.

"If anybody else wants to give me an invite, then I'm happy to listen."

Westwood said he had also learned to temper his expectations as he moves into the latter stages of his career.

"I'm very competitive, and I always just expect to give my best and try 100 percent," he said.

"That's the only expectation I put on myself. If it's good enough, it's good enough.

"I've learned to accept when it's not good enough anymore, and a lot of that is down to do with I'm just getting a bit older.

"Quite nice to go out there with no real goals or expectations, just play.

"That's what getting in the zone is, right? Just playing."