Another season-opening win moves Oosthuizen up in world rankings

VIRGINIA WATER, England, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Louis Oosthuizen began his playing year with a win for the fourth consecutive year, a result that moved him in golf Top 30 as of Monday.

Oosthuizen defended his title at the Volvo Golf Champions, which was his first event in 2013 and 2014. The two years before that he opened the year with wins at the Africa Open.

The win Sunday in Durban, South Africa, gives Oosthuizen 12 professional wins, seven of which have come on the European Tour. He goes from 34th to No. 27 in the world golf rankings.

Jimmy Walker won the PGA Tour's Sony Open. It was his second PGA win -- the first coming just three months ago at the Frys.com Open -- and lifted him 15 places to 32nd in the rankings.

The only change in the Top 10 sees Zach Johnson edge ahead of Rory McIlroy for the No. 6 spot. Johnson tied for eighth at the Sony Open last week.

Tiger Woods has reached 666 weeks overall as the No. 1-ranked player in men's golf and still has a comfortable lead over No. 2 Adam Scott.

The men's world golf Top 10, listing player's name, home country and ranking points average:

1. Tiger Woods, United States, 11.26

2. Adam Scott, Australia, 9.19

3. Henrik Stenson, Sweden, 8.96

4. Justin Rose, England, 6.90

5. Phil Mickelson, United States, 6.80

6. Zach Johnson, United States, 6.24

7. Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland, 6.19

8. Matt Kuchar, United States, 6.18

9. Steve Stricker, United States, 5.51

10. Sergio Garcia, Spain, 5.15