St Andrews, the Home of Golf, could tomorrow see Lee Westwood crowned as the new world number one - and little-known John Parry as the shock winner of one of Europe's richest events.

Westwood, needing a first or second-place finish in the Dunhill Links Championship to end the latest five-year reign of Tiger Woods, made light of his aching leg to fire a spectacular 66 at Carnoustie today. It lifted the 37-year-old - close to pulling out on Thursday night - all the way from 32nd place to joint fifth on eight under par.

"I think everybody playing out here would love to be able to say they are the best player in the world - anybody who plays professional sport," said Westwood.

"I think it would be the high point of my career without a doubt. We all know how much hard work goes into it, so it's the accolade where you look on the list and you're right at the top and it says number one. (It) obviously it means a lot."

But Westwood is still five behind world number 177 Parry, who two weeks after his first European Tour success is now 18 holes away from a £502,000 jackpot. Although he was four ahead overnight and five clear at one stage, the 23-year-old from Harrogate was happy enough to shoot a 71, also at Carnoustie, and he goes into the final round two in front of German Martin Kaymer and Spaniard Alvaro Quiros.

"I would have taken level par around here - it's a tough course and it was windy," commented Parry, who had never had a top-eight finish on the circuit until his win.

"It was just a grind out there today and it will be nice to go back to St Andrews. I'm just going to take the same mindset as I had in Paris into the last round."

Kaymer, despite finishing with a bogey like Parry, is probably the favourite for the trophy. The US PGA champion leads this season's money list and has won his last two tournaments - three if you count Europe's triumph at Celtic Manor on Monday.

He and big-hitting Quiros both had 68s, while over at Kingsbarns Danny Willett - a team-mate of Parry and Rory McIlroy in the 2007 Walker Cup - moved into fourth spot on nine under with a 67.

Padraig Harrington shot a 70 at Carnoustie to sit in eighth on seven under par.