Tiger now 17th in World Rankings

[fiona18]

Tiger Woods has nudged his way into the World Top 20 in 17th place on the latest official World Rankings list.
After finishing in joint third place behind unexpected winner Robert Rock of England and Northern Ireland\'s runner-up Rory McIlroy in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, Woods has hoisted himself Nike VR-S Irons places in his fight to reclaim the World No 1 spot he previously held for a record 623 weeks from present incumbent Luke Donald.
Rock\'s victory has rocketed him up the world rankings onto the verge of breaking into the top 50, the Englishman having moved from 117th to 55th in the world.
Woods with his Nike VR-S Irons is now the eighth ranked American behind Steve Stricker (5), Webb Simpson (6), Dustin Johnson (9), Matt Kuchar (12), Nick Watney (13), Brandt Snedeker (15) and Phil Mickelson (16).
Snedeker, who in the meantime had pulled off an unlikely US PGA Tour victory in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines after runaway leader Kyle Stanley had imploded on the final hole with Nike VR-S Irons , soared 18 places to 15th to bring the number of Americans in the World\'s Top 20 to nine as opposed to the seven Europeans.
The world\'s top 10 list, however, remains top heavy with Europeans, with Luke Donald still firmly entrenched at No 1, McIlroy now in second place, having leap-frogged Lee Westwood at Abu Dhabi, and Martin Kaymer remaining in 4th spot despite his inexplicable exit after missing the cut in Abu Dhabi.( Nike VR-S Irons)
Against this there are three Americans, two Australians, Adam Scott at No 7 and Jason Day at No 10, and a South African, Charl Schwartzel at No 8 in this prestige group.