Tataurangi vaults up world rankings

Phil Tataurangi shot 92 places up the world golf rankings with his career-boosting victory in Las Vegas yesterday.

Tataurangi is now ranked 74th, one ahead of American John Daly and 10 ahead of compatriot Craig Perks who, like Tataurangi, won for the first time on the PGA Tour this year.

Tataurangi picked up $US900,000 for his victory in the Invensys Classic.

In taking his year's PGA Tour earnings to $US1.6 million, Tataurangi moved up to 33rd place (from 77th) on the money list, pushing Perks ($US1.64 million) to 34th.

He needs to break into the top 30 - the spot held by American Kenny Perry at $US1.7 million - to qualify for the $US5 million Tour Championship.

Michael Campbell, at 19th, remains the highest-ranked New Zealander on the world list.

David Smail, at 186, is the only other New Zealander in the top 200.

Campbell is the eighth seed for the world matchplay championship which starts at Wentworth, England, on Thursday. He plays unseeded Nick Faldo in the first round, with the winner meeting defending champion Ian Woosnan.

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