Only 16 months into his professional career 18 year old Matteo Manassero became the latest player to overtake Tiger Woods on the Official World Golf Ranking.
Woods was golf's undisputed Number One when Manassero left the amateur ranks after last year's Masters Tournament, but when he missed the halfway in the US PGA Championship on Friday the young Italian needed only to finish in 65th or better to knock him out of the top 30.
When he signed for a closing 70 and three-over-par total Europe's newest star was in a tie for 39th spot.
"It was a tough week, but a good week," Manassero said. "I played really solid and I am really happy.
"If I had putted better I think I could have finished up on the leaderboard, but it doesn't matter - I had another good experience and my game is improving.
"I knew I was very close, but I didn't know that this result takes me above him.
"It's been really quick - it's amazing what golf can do - but it's good in a way and sad in a way.
"It's been a good ride for me (he has won twice on The European Tour already), but Tiger's not in a good moment.
"I'm not happy it's happened like this. It's pretty sad to see him like this - everybody would like to see him back again playing well and playing as he did before.
"Guys have improved. There is so much more competition now and I'm happy to be around 30th in the world."
