Westwood looking over his shoulder at Donald

LUKE Donald’s seventh top-10 finish in a row moved him up to No 2 in the world and ensured for the first time since the rankings began that England is home to the best two golfers on the planet.

Donald finished three shots off a play-off won by KJ Choi at the Players Championship at Sawgrass to close in on his compatriot, Lee Westwood, at the top of the rankings.

Both Donald and Martin Kaymer can displace Worksop’s Westwood at the Volvo Matchplay Championship in Spain this week.

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The 24-man field includes all four recent major winners, including Gareme McDowell who took a one-shot lead into the final round at Sawgrass only to suffer a dramatic collapse.

The tournament will be played over a revised format of eight, three-man groups with the top two from each advancing to the knockout stages.

n More than 130 amateurs tee off at Pannal, Harrogate, today looking to claim one of 30 qualifying places at the prestigious Brabazon Trophy next month.

Matthew Fitzpatrick (Hallamshire) and Scott Campbell (Hallowes) lead the Yorkshire challenge in the 132-strong northern qualifier.

The Brabazon Trophy is held at Burnham & Berrow, June 23-26.