Snedeker up to fourth in world golf rankings

LONDON (AFP) –

Brandt Snedeker waits to tee off on the 18th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links yesterday.

On-form American Brandt Snedeker is up to a career-best fourth in the world rankings following his win Sunday in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

That triumph came hard on the heels of back-to-back runner-up finishes behind Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson on the US PGA circuit.

Snedeker’s win edges him ahead of Justin Rose and Louis Oosthuizen, with only Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Luke Donald ahead of him.

The top 64 in the latest rankings qualify automatically for the first of this season’s WGC golf championships, the World Match Play tournament in Arizona later this month, although Phil Mickelson is expected to reject his spot for the second year running leaving one berth open.

Latest leading positions in the world golf rankings

1. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 12.03pts

2. Tiger Woods (USA) 9.03

3. Luke Donald (ENG) 7.58

4. Brandt Snedeker (USA) 6.91

5. Justin Rose (ENG) 6.44

6. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 6.44

7. Adam Scott (AUS) 5.85

8. Lee Westwood (ENG) 5.50

9. Bubba Watson (USA) 5.28

10. Phil Mickelson (USA) 5.16

11. Ian Poulter (ENG) 5.04

12. Jason Dufner (USA) 4.97

13. Steve Stricker (USA) 4.85

14. Sergio Garcia (ESP) 4.80

15. Keegan Bradley (USA) 4.79

16. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 4.72

17. Dustin Johnson (USA) 4.69

= Webb Simpson (USA) 4.69

19. Graeme McDowell (NIR) 4.43

20. Peter Hanson (SWE) 4.38