Rory McIlroy Ends Year As Top Player

Rory McIlroy made it a career total of 60 weeks as world number one on Monday with the final golf rankings of the year.

The Northern Irishman started the year as world number six, but after wins in the British Open in July and in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at the start of August he was back at the top.

He cemented that position with his fourth major title win at the US PGA Championship and ended the year almost three ranking points clear of second-placed Henrik Stenson of Sweden.

Tiger Woods, who was top-ranked at the start of the year, slumped to 32nd due to a run of injuries and related problems with his swing.

Masters champion Bubba Watson is the top-ranked American at fourth with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama the top Asian at 16th.

Official World rankings at the end of 2014:

1. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 11.04pts
2. Henrik Stenson (SWE) 8.13
3. Adam Scott (AUS) 7.71
4. Bubba Watson (USA) 7.27
5. Sergio Garcia (ESP) 6.70
6. Justin Rose (ENG) 6.69
7. Jim Furyk (USA) 6.62
8. Jason Day (AUS) 5.81
9. Jordan Spieth (USA) 5.75
10. Rickie Fowler (USA) 5.47
11. Matt Kuchar (USA) 5.11
12. Martin Kaymer (GER) 4.86
13. Billy Horschel (USA) 4.78
14. Phil Mickelson (USA) 4.47
15. Graeme McDowell (NIR) 4.16
16. Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 4.12
17. Victor Dubuisson (FRA) 4.02
18. Zach Johnson (USA) 3.83
19. Dustin Johnson (USA) 3.78
20. Chris Kirk (USA) 3.76