WOODS SLIDES DOWN RANKINGS

 Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is out of the world's top 20 for the first time since January 1997.

The American, who held the number one spot for more than 11 years in 10 different spells, has not been able to play since May 12 because of knee and Achilles tendon injuries.

Woods has dropped from eighth to 21st in the rankings in that time although he's expected to announce later this week that he is returning to action at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational early next month.

Last Wednesday he announced on his website that he will not have New Zealand caddie Steve Williams by his side on his return.

Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia has earned a place in next week's world championship by keeping his place in the game's top 50.

Back to form with two successive top-10 finishes in majors and a play-off defeat in Germany in between, Garcia is 48th going into this week's Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia.

Alex Noren's runaway win in Sweden moved him up from 92nd to 70th, but he already had a place in Akron thanks to his Wales Open victory last month.

Top 10 rankings
1. Luke Donald, 2 Lee Westwood, 3. Martin Kaymer, 4. Rory McIlroy, 5. Steve Stricker, 6. Phil Mickelson, 7, Dustin Johnson, 8. Jason Day, 9. Matt Kuchar, 10. Nick Watney