Luke Donald returns to top of golf world rankings

Wentworth win moves Donald ahead of rival Rory McIlroy on leaderboard.

Luke Donald

Luke Donald has moved back above Rory McIlroy to top the golf world rankings following his PGA Championship win at Wentworth.

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 earlier this month when he lost in a play-off in the United States to Rickie Fowler, but after failing to make the cut at Wentworth he once again opened the door of Donald to overhaul him at the top of the rankings.

Donald required a top eight finish to replace McIlroy and achieved that comfortably, defending his title with a three-stroke victory over Paul Lawrie and Justin Rose.

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.

Follow us