Poulter jumps in world golf rankings

VIRGINIA WATER, England, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Ian Poulter's victory at the world match play tournament in Arizona vaulted him six spots to No. 5 in Monday's world men's golf rankings.

Poulter defeated fellow Englishman Paul Casey 4-and-2 in a 36-hole final Sunday in winning the WGC-Accenture World Match Play in Marana, Ariz. That also allowed him to a reach a career-high No. 5 position in the world rankings.

The runner-up finish boosted Casey one spot to No. 6. The moves by the two Englishmen pushed American Jim Furyk down two spots to seventh and German Martin Kaymer down two to eighth.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Ireland Padraig Harrington were each down one place to ninth and 10th, respectively. Swede Henrik Stenson dropped from 10th to 11th.

The top four spots in the rankings remained static with Tiger Woods still solidly ensconced at No. 1. Fellow Americans Steve Stricker (No. 2) and Phil Mickelson (No. 3) were ahead of No. 4 Lee Westwood of England.