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McIlroy up to 16th
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02 January 2009
But the new rankings do not make such happy reading for the 19-year-old's stablemate Ernie Els.
Kenny Perry's play-off victory over Charley Hoffman at the FBR Open in Arizona takes him to ninth and drops Els to 13th - his lowest position since he won his first major title at the 1994 US Open.
McIlroy, who only a week ago said that making it into the game's top 20 was one of his goals for the year, did it in one mighty leap - beating Justin Rose by one shot at the Dubai Desert Classic.
It was nerve-wracking stuff for the Northern Ireland youngster, though. He was six ahead in the final round but bogeyed the 15th, 16th and 17th - and then was bunkered in three on the par-five 18th.
But McIlroy splashed out to three feet - and after Rose had missed his birdie attempt, he made his par to claim the title.
Only by finishing second did Rose stay ahead of McIlroy in the rankings. He climbed back to 15th.
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