Golf:Luke Donald became world number one for the first time when he beat Lee Westwood - the man who held top spot - in a sudden death play-off for the BMW PGA title at Wentworth today.
At the first extra hole Donald pitched to eight feet and then Westwood, from four yards closer, saw his approach spin into the water.
Westwood took a double bogey seven and Donald won the €750,000 first prize with a birdie four.
In regulation play Donald was left with a 30-footer for victory on the final green after Westwood, playing in the group ahead, had missed from six, but his two-putt par meant they tied on the six under par total of 278.
Westwood was two behind at the start of the day, but went one in front with a front nine 33 and was two clear when he birdied the 15th.
However, he then bogeyed the next and Donald hit his approach to a foot to draw level.
Simon Dyson, another Englishman, finished third on four under after a 69, while Colin Montgomerie was joint seventh - his first top 10 finish for almost three years.
Shane Lowry made great strides up the leaderboard on the final day after a closing 67 moved him into a share of fourth in what the Clara golfer said was his "best performance as a professional".
The former Irish Open champion enjoyed a finish those at the top of the pile would pay good money for coming down the stretch.
On the revamped Wentworth layout - most notably the changes made to the par five 18th - Lowry closed with a birdie, birdie eagle finish to move up to two-under 282.
As it stands that would be good enough for a pay-day of €191,100 in the European Tour's flagship event. It also secures his playing rights for next season.
Lowry reached the turn in one-under 34 then dropped back to level after a bogey at the 12th. However the majestic finish catapulted the world number 223 up almost 18 places.
"I Knew I had been playing well all week, made a couple of mistakes early doors but was playing well enough and the last few holes are chances for me," enthused Lowry after his round.
"I don’t think I’ve ever played as good. That should definitely be my card kept. Probably my best week on tour so far, especially in this field and on this golf course.
I said to myself if I can finish under par for the tournament then I’ll definitely finish inside the top 10, which will give me a nice healthy cheque. I went out there and did that, albeit in the last three holes."
Like his beloved Manchester United last night, things didn't go according to plan for Rory McIlroy. The 22-year-old came back from the Wembley showpiece but could only manage a two-over 73 to finish three-over for the week.
Last week's winner Michael Hoey shot 69 to move up to four-over.
Like yesterday, Darren Clarke had an untidy afternoon and a 75 left the recent Iberdrola Open winner well down the field on six-over.
For a week that promised much, Clarke's effort fizzled out with weekend rounds of 74, 75. Two double-bogeys and two bogeys against two birdies did the damage for Clarke.
Gareth Maybin, after an 83 yesterday, ended a disappointing week with a 73 to finish 16-over.
