Pressure mounts as McDowell and Harrington on the slide

Rory McIlroy has clung onto his spot at the summit of the world rankings despite missing the cut at The Players Championship on Friday night.

On Sunday it looked as if the fast finishing Luke Donald would again usurp the young Irishman at the head of affairs but the Englishman’s excellent 66 for nine under wasn’t enough to secure him the tie for the 4th place finish he required to regain the number one crown.

The pair renew rivalry next week when the European Tour’s flagship tournament, the BMW PGA Championship, is held at Wentworth.