Woods stretches lead for No. 1 in world golf ranking

VIRGINIA WATER, England, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods has solidified his lead atop the world men's golf rankings heading into the final major tournament on the 2013 PGA calendar.

Woods, riding a course-record 61 Friday, posted a victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. It was his eighth tournament win at the Firestone Country Club and his 79th PGA title overall. He is three wins behind all-time tournament title record-holder Sam Snead.

But the record Woods covets most is major tournaments. Jack Nicklaus owns that mark with 18, four more than Woods. Woods' most recent major tournament win was at the 2008 U.S. Open. He's won the PGA Championship four times, most recently in 2007.

The 2013 PGA Championship begins Thursday at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y.

Woods is more than 5 1/2 points ahead of No. 2-ranked Phil Mickelson for first in the world golf rankings. He's been atop the rankings for a total of 643 weeks.

The dominant win at Woods at the WGC -- he finished seven strokes ahead of the field -- overshadowed the finish by Keegan Bradley, who tied Henrik Stenson for second and reached No. 10 in the world rankings. Stenson goes from 19th to No. 11. Lee Westwood drops from 10th to No. 12.

The other PGA tournament last week -- the Reno Tahoe Open -- was won by Gary Woodland, who moves from 268th to No. 152 in the rankings.

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

1. Tiger Woods, United States, 14.19

2. Phil Mickelson, United States, 8.56

3. Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland, 8.32

4. Justin Rose, England, 7.60

5. Adam Scott Australia, 7.44

6. Matt Kuchar, United States, 6.65

7. Brandt Snedeker, United States, 6.59

8. Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland, 5.94

9. Luke Donald, England, 5.40

10. Keegan Bradley, United States, 5.10