Rory McIlroy has now moved ahead of triple majors winner Padriag Harrington in the world rankings.

His fifth place in the Dubai Desert Classic has pushed him up to seventh while Harrington is in 10th place.

The Holywood 20-year-old has also seen his odds cut to 8-11 to win a Major in the next four years and a very short 4-6 to make the cut in all four tournaments this year.

Those sorts of odds are best avoided and while we all hope Rory continues to make the headlines in world golf, the price of 11-10 to miss one cut is probably better value as it only takes one bad day on the course or an injury, to make that a possibility.

Meanwhile, Miguel Angel Jimenez is 3-1 to be in the European Ryder Cup team following his play-off victory over Lee Westwood in Dubai.

The Spaniard stands 10th in the current world points table from which the top four are guaranteed team selection.

The top five in the European list who have not already qualified, will also be at Celtic Manor and in the current situation, McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Harrington are all past the post.

Europe are 5-6 to avenge the defeat at Valhalla and the USA 6-4 to win again with the tie at 10-1.

Steve Stricker is the new World number two having overtaken Phil Mickelson with three top 10 finishes recently and could be worth a decent bet for the Masters. He has to be taken at 11-4 to lead the US money list without Tiger Woods as he will play in more than 20 events while Mickelson is likely to continue as a ‘picker’ for the foreseeable future.