Jeev topples Randhawa to become highest ranked Indian golfer

New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) A resurgent Jeev Milkha Singh added another feather to his cap by overtaking Jyoti Randhawa as the highest ranked Indian golfer, after his tied fourth finish in the European Open.

Jeev, the UBS Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, hit a purple patch in the Volvo China Open which ended a painstaking seven-year title drought for the seasoned pro and he has not looked back since.

Jeev, even though he missed the chance to qualify for The Open Championship by a single shot, leapfrogged Randhawa and is placed 144th with 1.14 average points in the latest World Official Golf Rankings issued today.

Randhawa, who began well but fizzled out later to finish tied 61st in the European Open, is now ranked 159th with 1.04 average points, according to information received here today.

Meanwhile, exciting talent Shiv Kapur too overtook Orlando-based Indian Arjun Atwal in the rankings ladder. The Delhi youngster (.91) is now placed 176th, just ahead of Atwal (.90), who remains off-colour this season and his latest setback was at Lemont, Illinois as he couldn't make the cut in the Western Open there.

South African Trevor Immelman's Western Open triumph over Tiger Woods and Australian Matthew Goggin saw him moving up 14 places to World Number 15 with his maiden PGA Tour win.

Woods, on his part, extended his lead over Phil Mickelson at the top of the table to 7.15 average points.

Top 10: 1.Tiger Woods, US (16.77) 2. Phil Mickelson, US (9.62) 3. Vijay Singh, Fiji (8.43) 4. Retief Goosen, South Africa (7.09) 5. Jim Furyk, US (7.04) 6. Adam Scott, Australia (5.95) 7. Geoff Ogilvy, Australia (5.73) 8. Ernie Els, South Africa (5.53) 9. Sergio Garcia, Spain (5.18) 10. David Howell, Britain (5.04).

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