Rory McIlroy can celebrate his 22nd birthday on Wednesday in the knowledge that he has risen to a career-high sixth in the world.
The Northern Irishman is in the United States preparing for the defence of his title at the Wells Fargo Championship, where last year he carded a stunning course record 62 in the final round to beat Phil Mickelson by four shots.
Back in America for the first time since he suffered a back-nine collapse on the final day of the Masters Tournament, which he had led for 63 holes, McIlroy is above Tiger Woods in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time.
Lee Westwood reinforced his position as World Number One with victory in the Ballatine’s Championship, making it back-to-back wins following his triumph at the Indonesian Masters a week earlier, and Miguel Angel Jiménez, runner-up to Westwood in Korea, moved from 27th to 23rd.
Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Englishman Luke Donald remain World Number Two and Three respectively, with American Phil Mickelson staying at World Number Four, one ahead of Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.
Paul Casey, Steve Stricker and Bubba Watson, who moved up to tenth from 16th after his victory in the Zurich Classic on the US PGA Tour, complete the top ten.
