McDowell back up to seventh in world Rankings

Graeme McDowell has the bragging rights over fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy again as he starts his defence of the US Open at Congressional near Washington this week.

Although neither played last week they swap places in the world rankings, McDowell returning to seventh and McIlroy slipping to eighth.

Swede Robert Karlsson, meanwhile, is back in the top 20 at 17th after losing a play-off in Memphis for the second year running.

Last year it was Lee Westwood who beat him. This time it was American Harrison Frazar.

Latest leading positions in the world golf rankings:

1 Luke Donald 9.11pts, 2 Lee Westwood 8.36, 3 Martin Kaymer 7.29, 4 Steve Stricker 6.44, 5 Phil Mickelson 6.09, 6 Matt Kuchar 5.58, 7 Graeme McDowell 5.46, 8 Rory McIlroy 5.40, 9 Dustin Johnson 5.08, 10 Paul Casey 5.07

11 Charl Schwartzel 5.04, 12 Bubba Watson 4.90, 13 Ian Poulter 4.80, 14 Nick Watney 4.70, 15 Tiger Woods 4.53, 16 KJ Choi 4.43, 17 Robert Karlsson 4.25, 18 Jason Day 4.25, 19 Jim Furyk 4.20, 20 Hunter Mahan 4.15

Other leading Europeans:

22 Francesco Molinari, 24 Martin Laird, 25 Alvaro Quiros, 27 Miguel Angel Jimenez, 29 Justin Rose, 30 Matteo Manassero, 36 Edoardo Molinari, 37 Anders Hansen, 47 Peter Hanson, 52 Padraig Harrington, 54 Ross Fisher, 70 Simon Dyson, 72 Thomas Bjorn, 75 Gregory Bourdy, 76 Sergio Garcia, 77 Raphael Jacquelin, 79 Nicolas Colsaerts, 80 David Horsey, 81 Alexander Noren, 82 Stephen Gallacher, 91 Brian Davis, 95 Johan Edfors, 96 Rhys Davies, 99 equal Carl Pettersson and Darren Clarke