Sterne, 14 others, earn Masters' slots

VIRGINIA WATER, England, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- South African Richard Sterne, ranked 113th in the world two weeks ago, used back-to-back golf tournament wins to secure a spot in the 2009 Masters.

Sterne was one of 15 players to earn a Masters berth by finishing among the top 50 in the world rankings.

Sterne was ranked 113th in the ratings of Dec. 7 but jumped to 74th by winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship, a Sunshine Tour and European Tour co-sanctioned tournament, by a single shot on Dec. 14.

On Sunday Sterne put away the South African Open Championship, climbing another 31 spots to No. 43, which puts him in next year's Masters.

Rory McIlroy was third in South Africa and also grabbed a Masters' berth.

Others who qualified for the 2009 Masters on the basis of their top 50 rankings are: Aaron Baddeley, Luke Donald, Ross Fisher, Soren Hansen, Shingo Katayama, Martin Kaymer, Soren Kjeldsen, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milkha Singh, Lin Wen-tang and Oliver Wilson.