Rory McIlroy moves up to third in world rankings

McIlroy will return to action in the Open at Sandwich, which begins on 14 July

US Open champion Rory McIlroy has climbed to third in the world rankings.

Martin Kaymer's failure to finish in the top eight in the BMW Interntaional Open in Munich resulted in the German falling below McIlroy to fourth.

The 22-year-old Northern Irishman now sits behind English pair Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, who occupy first and second spots respectively.

It is the first time since the rankings were introduced in 1986 that the top three players are all from the UK.

McIlroy's climb to a career-high ranking comes after his eight-shot victory at Congressional earlier this month, his first major title.

He is currently taking a three-week break from the game before returning to action in the Open at Royal St George's, which begins on 14 July.

Prior to that, Kaymer will take part in the French Open starting on Thursday, with Donald and Westwood both entered in the Scottish Open a week later.

The weekend's action saw Pablo Larrazabal beat fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia in a play-off in Munich and Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson win his maiden PGA Tour title at the Travelers Championship at Connecticut.

McIlroy's elevation is the only change at the top of the world list, with American trio Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson and Matt Kucher sitting fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, Australia's Jason Day and South African Charl Schwartzel complete the top 10.

Fourteen-time major winner and former world number one Tiger Woods, who has been out since May with left leg injuries, has slipped to 17th.

WORLD RANKINGS

1. Luke Donald (England) 9.14 points average

2. Lee Westwood (England) 8.66

3. Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) 7.23

4. Martin Kaymer (Germany) 7.14

5. Steve Stricker (USA) 6.39

6. Phil Mickelson (USA) 5.90

7. Matt Kuchar (USA) 5.59

8. Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 5.54

9. Jason Day (Australia) 5.43

10. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 5.37

Selected others

13. Paul Casey (England) 4.80

14. Ian Poulter (England) 4.59

17. Tiger Woods (USA) 4.22

31. Justin Rose (England) 3.35

51. Sergio Garcia (Spain) 2.60

54. Padraig Harrington (Rep. of Ireland) 2.51