Willett on a high after his win in the Alps elevates him into elite tier of Europeans

Danny Willett hits the ball out of a bunker during the final round of the Omega European Masters golf tournament in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Sunday (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP)

Danny Willett has climbed into the top 25 in the world for the first time on the back of his victory at the European Masters.

The 27-year-old from Sheffield is now the 24th-ranked golfer in the world and the second highest Englishman on the standings.

Only five Europeans are placed ahead of him; Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer.

He has also regained second spot in the Race to Dubai standings, while fellow Sheffield golfer Matt Fitzpatrick – who was runner-up in Switzerland on Sunday – is now 40th in Europe.

Jason Day recovered from the disappointment of a near miss at The Open by winning the RBC Canadian Open by a stroke from Bubba Watson.

The Australian missed a crucial late putt and a shot at the play-off which Zach Johnson ultimately won to take the Claret Jug at St Andrews last Monday, and he responded positively by squeezing out Watson with a final-round 68 to finish 17 under at Glen Abbey Golf Course.

Six birdies and two bogeys were enough to lift Day above overnight leader David Hearn, the Ontario-born player who surrendered his two-shot lead after shooting 72 on Sunday.

Two-time Masters champion Watson was 16 under for the tournament after a run of five birdies across six holes saw the two-time Masters winner sign for 69 on day four in Oakville.