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Stuart Appleby moves up to World No.21

Australian Stuart Appleby rose nine places to 21st in the world rankings issued on Monday after clinching a record-equalling third consecutive title at the season-opening Mercedes Championships.

Appleby, 34, began the PGA Tour campaign the same way he did in 2004 and 2005 by winning in Hawaii, defeating Vijay Singh at the first playoff hole on Sunday.

Singh's runner-up finish helped him gain ground on the absent Tiger Woods as the Fijian closed the gap to fewer than seven points at the top of the rankings.

In the only positional change in the top 10, Australia's Adam Scott climbed one spot to eighth, swapping places with Colin Montgomerie of Britain.

January 9, 2006