Rory Now Third In World Rankings

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is officially the world's third best golfer, according to world rankings released this week.

The Bangor born 22-year-old won the 111th US Open Championship last week in record breaking style, moving his ranking position up to third - just behind England's Luke Donald and Lee Westwood.

Rory's final round of 69 saw him finish at 16-under-par, eight strokes ahead of closest rival Jason Day of Australia. He had record-breaking 36 hole, 54 hole and 72 hole totals and jointly holds the halfway lead record with Tiger Woods at six strokes.

McIlroy's first Major Championship win, coming at the age of just 22, is only his 11th Major Championship appearance.

He climbs to third in the Official World Golf Ranking, a jump of five positions, above Martin Kaymer, Steve Stricker and Phil Mickelson.

The new position was awarded by the Official World Golf Ranking organisation, which is endorsed by the four Major Championships and the six leading professional tours.

Northern Ireland currently has two players in the world's top ten, with Graeme McDowell sitting at the number eight position. Graeme won the US Open in spectacular fashion in 2010.

Belfast's Gareth Maybin, who turned professional in 2005, is currently in 147th position, despite having previously broken into the top 100 in 2008. However, Gareth has been finishing strongly in recent tournaments.

Rory is currently taking a three-week break from golf before returning to fairways in the Open at Royal St George's, which begins on July 14.

(DW)