The 22 year old Rory Mcilroy of Northern Ireland landed on the world no. 2 spot after his fourth place finish at the WGC-HSBC Champions event.

Mcilroy’s last-hole birdie in Shanghai has taken him to a career-high second in the world.

Now only England’s Luke Donald is ahead of the 22-year-old US Open champion. McIlroy is now third in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai money list.

McIlroy, winner of the lucrative Shanghai Masters a week earler, said: “It was not really what I was looking for today, but I finished off quite well.

WORLD GOLF RANKINGS: (Top 5)

1.) Luke Donald (Eng)

2.) Rory McIlroy (NI)

3.) Lee Westwood (Eng)

4.) Martin Kaymer (Ger)

5.) Dustin Johnson (USA)