Donald ranked 1st again, ending McIlroy’s stay atop ranks

Luke Donald regained the No. 1 ranking in the world Sunday by winning a four-man playoff at the Transitions in Palm Harbor, Fla., on the first extra hole with a shot out of the rough to 6 feet and a birdie putt that curled in the left side of the cup.

Donald ended Rory McIlroy’s two-week stay atop the world ranking by rallying from three strokes down with a 66.

He first reached No. 1 in the world by winning a playoff over Lee Westwood at Wentworth last May. This required more work as Donald had to beat Jim Furyk, Robert Garrigus and Bae Sang-Moon in sudden death.

LPGA

Yani Tseng two-putted for par from 40 feet in fading light to hold off Ai Miyazato and Na Yeon Choi by a stroke at the LPGA Founders Cup in Phoenix.

The top-ranked Taiwanese star won her 14th LPGA Tour title and second in four events this year. She closed with a 4-under 68 to finish at 18 under.

The second-ranked Choi also shot 68, and Miyazato had a 69.

Champions Tour

Loren Roberts shot a 69 to win the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, Calif., by two strokes over Mark Calcavecchia, Tom Kite and Bernhard Langer.

Roberts made a 5-foot birdie putt on the final hole to ensure the victory after bogeys on three of the previous four holes. He began the day two strokes behind Calcavecchia, but made birdies on three of his first four holes.