Published Monday, 06 February 2012
Rory McIlroy will be chasing succcess at the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura (© UTV)
Lee Westwood missed the opportunity to leapfrog Rory McIlroy in the rankings after he could only finish in 12th position in Doha in the Qatar Masters.
Scotland's Paul Lawrie took the win in Doha with a strong finishing round of 65 in a tournament that was shortened because of bad weather.
Westwood and McIlroy will go head to head again in Dubai this week at the Desert Classic, the last of the three week swing through the middle east.
England's Luke Donald holds on to the top spot in the rankings.
Portrush's finest golfers, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke, lie in 11th and 55th position respectively.
Michael Hoey is 90th and Padraig Harrington is 93rd.
The latest Ryder Cup points list has also been released by the European Tour and it is more good news for Northern Ireland's golfing talent.
Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Michael Hoey are all inside the top ten on the European Points list, based on prize money won on the tour.
McIlroy and McDowell are also in the top ten in the World Points list.
Players from both lists are picked for the Ryder Cup which will be played at Medinah Country Club in Chicago in September 2012.