Golf: Rory McIlroy moves second in the rankings after Open Championship win

The Northern Irishman held off final-day pressure from Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler to lift the Claret Jug for the first time in his career at Hoylake on Sunday.

And McIlroy's third major title has seen him jump to second in the world behind Australia's Adam Scott.

Garcia and Fowler who finished tied second on Sunday - two shots behind McIlroy - also rose, with the former climbing four places to fifth.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson and England's Justin Rose sit ahead of Garcia to complete the top five.

Garcia was the main threat to McIlroy's chances on Merseyside as he regularly closed to within two shots on the final day - only to see his bid falter with a bogey at the 15th.

That also allowed Fowler to tie for second at a major for the second time in his career, and the American moves up seven places from 25th spot.

Shane Lowry equalled the course record at Hoylake with a final-day 65 to finish on 10 under and as a result climbs nine places to 59th in the rankings, while four-time major winner Ernie Els drops five spots to 63rd after a disappointing Open performance.

The South African was eight over after two rounds and consequently missed the cut, with the 44-year-old's weekend summed up by his triple bogey at the fifth on the opening day.

Tiger Woods, who also endured a difficult tournament on his return to major action afer back surgery, ended six over after four rounds and slipped from seventh to ninth in the world.