Woods opens huge lead in World Rankings

Aug 21, 2006, 17:20 GMT

Philadelphia, PA - Tiger Woods captured his 12th major championship on Sunday at the PGA Championship at Medinah. He certainly remained in first in the Official World Golf Rankings, but his lead is almost 12 average points.

Woods has won his last three starts and now has three Wanamaker Trophys. He captured his third British Open title in July and is almost 12 points ahead of world No. 2 Phil Mickelson.

Jim Furyk. Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen stayed in their spots from last week. Adam Scott, who tied for third place, held on to sixth, while reigning U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and Ernie Els switched places from last week. Ogilvy is now seventh, while 'The Big Easy' is eighth.

Sergio Garcia, who also tied for third place at Medinah, stayed in ninth and Luke Donald, the final young star to share third at the PGA Championship, moved up one to round out the top 10.

David Howell dipped one to 11, while American Ryder Cuppers David Toms and Chris DiMarco took the 12th and 13th rankings. Trevor Immelman is 14th, followed by Colin Montgomerie, who completed the top 15.

Three Europeans likely to play on the Ryder Cup team - Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson and Padraig Harrington - claimed places 16-18. Tim Clark held on to 19th while Chad Campbell moved into 20th.

© 2006 The Sports Network