Sensational McIlroy Full Of Joy On Return To Top 10

Rory McIlroy’s sensational victory in the Quail Hollow Championship has seen him move back into the world’s top-10.

The 20-year-old’s first victory on American soil came thanks to a final round of 62 to finish on 15 under for the competition and 10 under for his final round. McIlroy also carded sensational birdies on the last 6 holes, this sees him return to number nine in the rankings following a mini-slump. The win also sees him move into second place in the Ryder Cup standings behind Lee Westwood.

Runner-up spot for Masters champion Phil Mickelson puts him in sight of the position of world number one ahead of this week’s Players Championship.If Mickelson wins at Sawgrass and Tiger Woods finishes worse than fifth, the left-hander will climb to the top of the rankings for the first time in his career.

Spanish Open winner Alvaro Quiros has jumped to 31st in the rankings and seventh in the Ryder Cup table, pushing Italian Francesco Molinari out of an automatic qualification spot. And Ryo Ishikawa, who fired a 58 to win The Crowns tournament on the Japan Tour, is now ranked 38th in the world.

Latest rankings:

1 Tiger Woods 11.17pts,

2 Phil Mickelson 9.66,

3 Steve Stricker 7.75,

4 Lee Westwood 7.44,

5 Jim Furyk 7.06,

6 Ian Poulter 6.18,

7 Ernie Els 5.92,

8 Paul Casey 5.87,

9 Rory McIlroy 5.53,

10 Martin Kaymer 5.11

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.