Steve Stricker back to world number two
February 8, 2010

Steve Stricker claimed a two-shot win at the Northern Trust Open over Englishman Luke Donald at the Riviera Country Club. Stricker began the final round with a six stroke lead but was immediately put under pressure by Donald who opened with three birdies in the first five holes. Stricker responded with three birdies of his own around the turn and finished with a round of 70 to Donald's 66. The win takes Stricker to world number two, the position he held for three weeks in September last year.

Miguel Angel Jiménez courageously edged out European Number One Lee Westwood at the third play-off hole to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic following a thrilling final day at the Emirates Golf Club. The pair had both shot final rounds of 72 to edge out fellow overnight leader Thongchai Jaidee. The win takes Jiménez comfortably back into the world top 50 with a 30 spot jump to world number 30, while a tied 6th finish for Rory McIlroy was enough to see him climb two places to a career high no.7.

This week's other winners were Jim Herman at the Moonah Classic, co-sanctioned by the Australasia & Nationwide Tours, and Gaganjeet Bhullar at the Asian Tour International on the Asian Tour.

This week puts European players in 10 of the top 20 world ranking spots, together with 6 Americans (including nos. 1-3), 2 Australians and two South Africans. Europeans represent 6 of the world's top 10.