Donald back as golf's world no. 1

AFP News

28 May 2012 at 5:27 am

English golfer Luke Donald thanks the crowd after putting out on the 15th green during the PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey, south of London, England, on May 27. Donald's win on Sunday has vaulted him back ahead of Rory McIlroy at the top of golf's world rankings

Luke Donald's win in the PGA Championship at Wentworth on Sunday has vaulted him back ahead of Rory McIlroy at the top of golf's world rankings. The two have been duelling for the top spot for the past three months with the position changing hands several times. McIlroy eased ahead on May 6 when he lost in a play-off in the United States to Rickie Fowler, but he failed to make the cut at Wentworth, opening the door once again for Englishman Donald. He needed a top eight finish to replace McIlroy and achieved that comfortably defending his title with a three-stroke victory over Paul Lawrie of Scotland and Justin Rose of England. Rose's finish meant he moves up to sixth in the rankings, matching his best ever position. Lawrie is up to 29th taking him past Martin Laird as Scotland's top-ranking player. In America, Jason Dufner just missed out on a third win in four starts, being beaten by Zach Johnson, but he still enters the world top 10 for the first time. World top 20 1. Luke Donald (ENG) 10.43pts 2. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 9.39 3. Lee Westwood (ENG) 8.05 4. Bubba Watson (USA) 6.37 5. Matt Kuchar (USA) 6.04 6. Justin Rose (ENG) 5.60 7. Hunter Mahan (USA) 5.48 8. Jason Dufner (USA) 5.30 9. Tiger Woods (USA) 5.16 10. Steve Stricker (USA) 5.07 11. Martin Kaymer (GER) 5.06 12. Phil Mickelson (USA) 5.03 13. Webb Simpson (USA) 4.96 14. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 4.80 15. Adam Scott (AUS) 4.80 16. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 4.78 17. Zach Johnson (USA) 4.64 18. Jason Day (AUS) 4.61 19. Rickie Fowler (USA) 4.59 20. Dustin Johnson (USA) 4.56.