13 Nov 2018

Golf: Lee moves up world golf rankings

6:59 am on 13 November 2018

The New Zealand golfer Danny Lee has jumped 43 places in the World Rankings after his second place finish at the US PGA tour in Mexico yesterday.

Lee is now ranked 90th, just two places behind the top ranked New Zealander Ryan Fox.

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee.

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

American golfer Brooks Koepka has retaken the top spot knocking England's Justin Rose back down to second.

Koepka had been unseated by Rose in the previous week's ranking, and the American has a lead of just 0.16 average points over his English rival.

US golfers Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau remained in third, fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Francesco Molinari of Italy moved up to sixth, swapping places with Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy.

Spain's Jon Rahm kept eighth place and England's Tommy Fleetwood stayed in 10th, while US star Tiger Woods remained just outside the top 10 in 13th.

Lees rise comes on the back of his efforts at the Mayakoba Classic having started the final round in a tie for third, five shots behind leader Matt Kuchar of the United States.

The 28 year old closed with a six under par 65 to finish 21 under par and one shot behind Kuchar, who picked up his eighth PGA Tour title.

Lee's final round included seven birdies and a bogey.

He picks up 1.1 million dollars in prize money.

Lee says he didn't approach today's final round any differently.

"I didn't have any particular mindset today, I've been hitting it good all week and I knew if I just putt half decent I was going to have a chance or get very close."

"It was kind of a little bit windier than the last three rounds, but of you just keep hitting it straight off the tee you get a lot of birdie chances."

-AAP/RNZ