Mickelson in McDowell's sights after his Hawaii heroics

US OPEN champion Graeme McDowell's heroics in Hawaii over the weekend have left him poised to take the world No 4 spot off Phil Mickelson.

The gap between the pair is down to 0.09 points after the Northern Irishman narrowly missed out on a play-off at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, following a course record-equalling closing round of 62.

McDowell was 11 under for the day, signing a flawless card that included six birdies on the outward nine and five more after the turn.

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Jonathan Byrd beat fellow American Robert Garrigus at the second extra hole in the first event of the 2011 PGA Tour season and rises to 58th on the new rankings, while Ian Poulter's sixth-place finish takes him back into the game's top 10.

Yorkshire's Simon Dyson and Danny Willett are 65th and 74th respectively in the world rankings.

Jonathan Plaxton, a member at Fulford and a leading figure in Yorkshire and English amateur golf for 30 years, has been appointed chairman of the Royal and Ancient men's selection committee.

The prestigious appointment means he will resign his post working for the English Golf Union, where he has been an England selector following a two-year spell as captain of the England men's amateur team.

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Plaxton, captain of Fulford in 2003, was York Amateur champion in 1999 and York Open champion in 1980, 1982 and 1983.

In 1983 he was leading qualifier for the Open Championship and completed an outstanding year by becoming Yorkshire amateur champion and then gaining selection as an England international for the first time.

He won the famous Berkshire Trophy in 1984, one of the leading amateur competitions in the British golf calendar.

Plaxton, 48, was in the Fulford team which won the Yorkshire Division Two title in 1995, two years before becoming England international captain.

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Despite his increased role at the top, Plaxton will continue to work as a co-ordinator of Fulford's junior section.

Yorkshire will begin the defence of their EGU Northern Counties title against Cumbria at Alwoodley on May 7.

Cheshire are the visitors to Selby on May 28 and a third home game in succession follows when the White Rose host Northumberland at Bradford on July 2.

Yorkshire hit the road for the first time when they pay a visit to Durham at Consett on August 6 before concluding their season with a Roses match at Formby on August 27.