Ames falls further in world rankings

The 41-year old Ames, who climbed to within the top 20 in the rankings last year, is ranked 50th which is down from his previous position of 48th.

Ames endured a tough year on the PGA Tour this year, failing to win a tournament, as he was forced to battle with his wife’s illness.

Despite his below-par season, he finished in the top 100 on the money list for the eighth straight season, making US $959,665.

Colin Montgomerie meanwhile returned to the top ten after winning the Hong Kong Open on Sunday.

He is now ranked ninth and it marks the first time he has been in the top ten in almost three years.

American Tiger Woods has remained in top spot for the 369th week while Fiji’s Vijay Singh lies second and fellow American Phil Mickelson, third.

South African Retief Goosen is fourth while his counterpart Ernie Els, who returned to action at the Nedbank Golf Challenge last week, lies fifth.

RANKINGS: 1 Tiger Woods (USA); 2 Vijay Singh (Fiji); 3 Phil Mickelson (USA); 4 Retief Goosen (South Africa); 5 Ernie Els (South Africa); 6 Sergio Garcia (Spain); 7 Jim Furyk (USA);

8 Adam Scott (Australia); 9 Colin Montgomerie (Britain); 10 Chris DiMarco (USA); 50th Stephen Ames (TT).