World Golf News - 27 April 2011

Another shake-up at the top of the world golf rankings is underway as Lee Westwood celebrates an extra special Easter as world number one once again. Since late last year when Westwood unseated long-standing world number one Tiger Woods, and was himself unseated by Germany’s Martin Kaymer, the race for top position has been hotly contested. Luke Donald was poised to capture the top spot with a lead at The Heritage, but a final round loss put him out of contention. Westwood replaces Kaymer as world number one – for the moment.

On the US PGA Tour, the young American Brandt Snedeker beat Britain’s Luke Donald to win at The Heritage on Sunday. In a final round that saw Snedeker come up from the back, the American went on to match Donald’s score after eighteen holes. Donald was among several players vying for the number one spot in world golf at the weekend. After tying for the first two playoff holes, victory came Snedeker’s way when he made an easy par putt on the eighteenth. Donald carded a bogey, and the elated young American lifted the trophy amid sunny weather at the Harbour Town Golf Links.

On the European Tour, Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts won the China Open by a comfortable margin on Sunday. Starting the final round with a one stroke overnight lead, the Belgian made easy work of the course at Luxehills International Country Club. Despite the pressure of being chased by a pack of four competitors – Pablo Martin of Spain, New Zealand’s Danny Lee, Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark and Irishman Peter Lawrie –Closaerts kept a level head and racked up a four stroke lead to finish the day six under. He is only the second Belgian to win on the European Tour; the first was Philippe Toussaint in 1974.