GOLF: Things are going so well for Rory McIlroy at the moment that he even moves up in the world when he is not playing.
After climbing into the top 20 for the first time by winning the Dubai Desert Classic eight days ago, the 19-year-old has this week moved up a further spot to 15th because of the rolling two-year points system used.
McIlroy is now ahead of Justin Rose and has only five other Europeans ahead of him - Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood and fellow countryman Pádraig Harrington, who is the highest ranked Irishman at third.
The Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines was won by American Nick Watney. He began last week 184th on the rankings and leaps to 76th.
Leading world rankings:
1 Tiger Woods 10.18, 2 Sergio Garcia 7.83, 3 Padraig Harrington 6.49, 4 Vijay Singh 6.39, 5 Phil Mickelson 6.37, 6 Henrik Stenson 5.17, 7 Robert Karlsson 5.03, 8 Geoff Ogilvy 5.00, 9 Camilo Villegas 4.85, 10 Kenny Perry 4.75. 11 Anthony Kim 4.63, 12 Lee Westwood 4.45, 13 Ernie Els 4.21, 14 Jim Furyk 3.99, 15 Rory McIlroy 3.83, 16 Justin Rose 3.82, 17 Adam Scott 3.77, 18 Steve Stricker 3.60, 19 Martin Kaymer 3.90, 20 KJ Choi 3.49.
Selected Irish standings:
36 Graeme McDowell
73 Darren Clarke
93 Gareth Maybin
121 Paul McGinley
135 Damien McGrane
184 Peter Lawrie
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