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Golf

Clarke leaps up world rankings after Asian Open win

29/04/2008

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke has moved up 124 places to 112th in golf's world rankings after winning the Asian Open last week.

The 2006 Ryder Cup hero had slipped to 236th overall following some time off from the professional tour due to his wife's ultimately unsuccessful battle against cancer.

Despite playing well for the European team two years ago, Clarke's form in strokeplay events suffered badly - and this lead to him taking time away from the sport to compose himself.

But last week saw him triumphant in Shanghai for his first European Tour title in five years, which gave him a major boost in the rankings list.

Byron Nelson Championship winner Adam Scott of Australia also saw his world ranking given a shot in the arm, as he moved up from tenth to fifth overall.

Scott won the Texas tournament courtesy of a third-hole playoff win over American player Ryan Moore, who moved up from 119th to 72nd.

Tiger Woods remains the world's number one player, significantly clear of the rest of the field in terms of ranking points with 867.02.

Phil Mickelson is second on 418.18 points, with Ernie Els third (344.21) and Steve Stricker fourth (270.67).