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Simpson & Bjorn surge into world's top 30 with wins

Thomas Bjorn celebrated victory again this season © Getty Images

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Thomas Bjorn and Webb Simpson have both moved into the world's top 30 following their most recent victories, continuing a huge rise up the rankings in 2011.

Bjorn, who finished 2010 ranked 124th, is now up to 28th after clinching his third victory of the year at the European Masters in Crans-sur-Sierre.

Simpson, meanwhile, is on an even more impressive run of recent form - with his victory in a play-off at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday raising him to 14th in the world rankings, having begun the year virtually unheard of at 213th.

The win at TPC Boston was his second of the season, having won the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro just weeks earlier.

"It's been a whirlwind of a few weeks," Simpson said. "This is my fourth tournament in a row. You know, I missed the cut at the PGA and then won Greensboro, my first win ever, and haven't really had time to reflect on that because the [FedEx Cup] Playoffs started.

"So I don't really know what to think right now, but I'm certainly thankful for the chance to win, and having been able to finish the round with a birdie and then birdie the first two holes in a playoff was truly awesome."

The 26-year-old now has a great chance of claiming the $10 million FedEx Cup prize, as he sits top of the standings with two events remaining.

"You know, to be at No. 1 in the FedExCup with two weeks to go, I couldn't expect anything more," he said. "You know, the goal for us is to be in the top five going into Atlanta, and it looks like I'm in a good position to do that, so I'm thrilled."

Elsewhere, the top two remain unchanged after solid weeks on either tour, while Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy have leapfrogged above Steve Stricker and Dustin Johnson to return to third and fourth respectively.

Tiger Woods drops a further six places to 44th - just two above Sergio Garcia, who began the year 76 places behind the 14-time major champion.

World Rankings: 1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Lee Westwood (ENG), 3. Martin Kaymer (GER), 4. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 5. Steve Stricker (USA), 6. Dustin Johnson (USA), 7. Jason Day (AUS), 8. Phil Mickelson (USA), 9. Matt Kuchar (USA), 10. Adam Scott (AUS), ), 11. Nick Watney (USA), 12. Charl Schwartzel (RSA), 13. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 14. Webb Simpson (USA), 15. Bubba Watson (USA), 16. KJ Choi (KOR), 17. David Toms (USA), 18. Ian Poulter (ENG), 19. Paul Casey (ENG), 20. Robert Karlsson (SWE).

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