Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood fill the top three spots on the world rankings going into The Masters - and any one of them could be number one at the end of the week.

McIlroy's talent against Woods' experience: a classic showdown in store for the Masters showdown

You have to believe in your ability to win – not so easy against Tiger on the last day

Today

Englishmen mount impressive challenge but then fall away as demanding course takes its toll over closing holes

A stranger to the game of golf would have been hard-pushed to recognise Luke Donald as the world no 1 yesterday, partly because there was very little accompanying razzmatazz – spectators were manifestly more interested in the group just ahead, which included a young Ulsterman called McIlroy – but partly also because Donald's short game, usually as reliable as a metronome, clicked only sporadically.

Swede Fredrik Jacobson is up from 110th to 61st in the world after his win in America, while Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal climbs 86 spots to 94th after beating Sergio Garcia in a play-off at the BMW International Open in Germany.

Rory McIlroy has something else to celebrate – a climb to a career-high world ranking of third. Northern Ireland's new US Open champion overtook Martin Kaymer when the German failed to finish in the top eight at the BMW International Open in Munich yesterday.

Henrik Stenson bogeyed his last two holes but still led the BMW International Open at the midway point in the second round in Munich today.

Former World No 1 Vijay Singh will compete at Sunningdale next month in a bid to qualify for the Open at Royal St George's.

As Lee Westwood set off to complete his second round of the Indonesian Masters this morning the world No 1 crown was in tantalising focus. He was tied for the lead yesterday when lightning provided what British golf will hope was only a pause in his charge.

Spencer Levin of the United States maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard in the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational yesterday while Tiger Woods moved into contention.

We've been here before haven't we? Sergio Garcia blowing a lead while Tiger Woods comes back from the golfing dead to set up a charge at yet another title.

It takes a lot to overshadow Tiger Woods when he is reprising an act once so familiar in sport and slicing through the field with a sizzling 66. But Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia threatened to do just that as the Desert Classic reached halfway here yesterday.