Rankings: Poulter, Kaymer crack 10

Reuters - Mon, 25 Jan 21:13:00 2010

Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter's one-two finish at the Abu Dhabi Championship carried the pair into the world's top-10 for the first time.

Martin Kaymer (L) of Germany and Ian Poulter (R) of England - 0

German Kaymer jumped from 14th to sixth after Sunday's victory in the first leg of the European Tour's three-tournament Middle East swing while Englishman Poulter's runner-up finish took him to 10th in the world.

The elevation of Kaymer and Poulter gives Europe a record-equalling six players in the top-10, with Lee Westwood occupying fourth spot, Padraig Harrington in seventh, Henrik Stenson eighth and Paul Casey in ninth place.

Kaymer's second victory in Abu Dhabi - he also won there two years ago - means he is already halfway towards meeting his 2010 target.

"My goal every year is pretty much to win at least two tournaments on the European Tour," the 25-year-old told said.

"I did this in 2008, I did this in 2009 and it would be nice to do the same this year."

Kaymer is also keen to improve his performances in the majors and World Golf Championship events.

"I didn't play well in those the last two years. One of the goals I have this year is to play those big events better," he said after claiming the fifth European Tour title of his career.

Poulter finished one stroke behind Kaymer in Abu Dhabi but was pleased to show such good form after taking two short breaks from the game in recent months.

"I've probably had two hours of (practice) putting in 11 weeks," said the 34-year-old Englishman.

"I am feeling pretty confident right now. If you're going to hit the ball the way I've hit it for four days, I'm excited to go out there and play golf.

"That to me is the best bit -- to walk on a golf course and feel fresh and excited to play."

Next stop for Poulter and Kaymer is this week's Qatar Masters, the second leg of the Middle East swing which ends at the Dubai Desert Classic next week.

World rankings (US unless stated, last week's positions in brackets):

1. (1) Tiger Woods 13.59 average points

2. (2) Phil Mickelson 7.83

3. (3) Steve Stricker 6.83

4. (4) Lee Westwood (Britain) 6.37

5. (5) Jim Furyk 5.51

6. (14) Martin Kaymer (Germany) 5.31

7. (6) Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 5.24

8. (7) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 5.20

9. (8) Paul Casey (Britain) 5.16

10. (12) Ian Poulter (Britain) 5.12

11. (10) Rory McIlroy (Britain) 5.10

12. (9) Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 4.96

13. (11) Kenny Perry 4.68

14. (13) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 4.34

15. (15) Robert Allenby (Australia) 4.26

16. (16) Sean O'Hair 4.16

17. (18) Stewart Cink 3.99

18. (20) Ross Fisher (Britain) 3.96

19. (17) Retief Goosen (South Africa) 3.95

20. (19) Ernie Els (South Africa) 3.88

European Tour Race to Dubai (British unless stated):

1. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 488,850 euros

2. Martin Kaymer (Germany) 250,000

3. Pablo Martin (Spain) 190,950

4. Anders Hansen (Denmark) 172,100

5. Ian Poulter 166,660

6. Richie Ramsey 158,500

7. Keith Horne (South Africa) 153,013

8. Shiv Kapur (India) 141,546

9. Thomas Aiken (South Africa) 140,575

10. Darren Clarke 132,885

US Tour money list (US unless stated):

1. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) $1,120,000

2. Ryan Palmer $1,007,000

3. Bill Haas $900,000

4. Matt Kuchar $799,333

5. Rory Sabbatini (South Africa) $668,100

6. Robert Allenby (Australia) $594,000

7. Steve Stricker $534,000

8. Retief Goosen (South Africa) $472,333

9. Tim Clark (South Africa) $408,769

10. Bubba Watson $388,293

European Ryder Cup standings - World points list:

1. Lee Westwood (Britain) 148.06 points

2. Rory McIlroy (Britain) 111.66

3. Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 102.75

4. Ross McGowan (Britain) 83.91

5. Ian Poulter (Britain) 79.12

6. Simon Dyson (Britain) 78.09

7. Edoardo Molinari (Italy) 76.96

8. Alexander Noren (Sweden) 66.20

9. Francesco Molinari (Italy) 60.85

10. Gregory Bourdy (France) 60.75

European Ryder Cup standings - European points list:

1. Westwood 1,623,399.58 points

2. McIlroy 1,278,086.03

3. McGowan 1,104,767.56

4. Poulter 927,415.98

5. Dyson 871,739.72

6. Noren 747,649.12

7. F. Molinari 641,920.79

8. Martin Kaymer (Germany) 633,882.19

9. Ross Fisher (Britain) 632,192.08

10. Anders Hansen (Denmark) 578,708.27

US Ryder Cup points standings (top eight qualify):

1. Lucas Glover 1,780.000 points

2. Stewart Cink 1,488.793

3. Tiger Woods 1,286.163

4. Ryan Palmer 1,007.000

5. Kenny Perry 943.277

6. Bill Haas 900.000

7. Phil Mickelson 873.530

8. Steve Stricker 871.530

9. Chad Campbell 835.113

10. Matt Kuchar 799,333

11. Tom Watson 732.603

12. Sean O'Hair 604.236

13. Ricky Barnes 598.072

14. David Duval 559.830

15. Hunter Mahan 527.417

Reuters

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account