Lee Westwood has hit out at claims that Luke Donald doesn't deserve to top the world rankings due to never winning a major in his career.

The Englishman became the first professional to top both money lists in a single year, and remains number one in the world.

"I don't think people realise how well he's played to not only top the rankings, but become the first player in history to win both money lists in the same year," Westwood told The Independent. "All that 'But he hasn't won a major' thing is crap. I don't think anyone should try to demean what he has achieved.

"The ranking system works well. Of course, if people aren't happy with who's at the top – and that's usually if the world number one happens not to be from their country – they'll say it's flawed. But you ask the players and they'll tell you it's not flawed. Play well move up, play badly, move down."

Westwood is currently competing in the Thailand Golf Championship.