LOWRY MAKES BIG IMPRESSION

Shane Lowry

Monday May 18,2009

Even before he has made up his mind on whether to turn professional, new 3 Irish Open champion Shane Lowry has been installed at 168th in the world rankings.

After only one appearance on the European Tour, the 22-year-old is already above the likes of Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie, Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn thanks to his stunning play-off victory at County Louth.

And if he was to enter and win this week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, he would leap into the world's top 50 and qualify for next month's US Open.

England's Robert Rock would have moved up into the top 100 for the first time if he had not lost on the third extra hole to Lowry but, as it is, his 125th place is still a career high.

Zach Johnson won the Texas Open and moves back into the world's top 20 at 19th, one spot ahead of Rory McIlroy.

Montgomerie's closing 80 on Sunday after he resumed in seventh place means he slumps further down the list to 182nd.