Vijay Singh now sits on top of the golfing world - in every way except the official rankings.

The 41-year-old's play-off victory in the USPGA championship gave him not only the third major title of his career, but also his ninth US Tour win in 20 months.

And even if he did win after a closing 76 - the highest round to take a major title since Reg Whitcombe scored 78 in a wind at the 1938 Open at Sandwich so strong that the exhibition tent was demolished - Singh has now taken the last eight events in which he has led after 54 holes.

That is the stuff of Tiger Woods at his best. And Tiger Woods is not at his best.

Yet the American is still the man who tops the world rankings - and did so today for a record-breaking 332 weeks, the last 262 of them in an unbroken run going back five years.

The situation is complicated, however, by Ernie Els, whose near-miss in yet another major has put him down to world number three, but still leaves him close enough to leap-frog over both Woods and Singh if he finishes in the top three on Sunday.

*Two players who have won just one tournament between them in the last four years have been chosen to try to help America win back the Ryder Cup.

Jay Haas, who at 50 will be the second oldest player in cup history after Ray Floyd, has not tasted victory since 1993 and on his last appearance nine years ago made a mess of the last hole against Philip Walton to cost America the match.

Hal Sutton's other wild card announced yesterday is 31-year-old Stewart Cink, one of six survivors from the team beaten at The Belfry two years ago.

Qualifiers for US Ryder Cup team:

Tiger Woods: Age 28. Caps 3 (1997-99-02). Record: Played 15 Won 5 Halved 2 Lost 8

Phil Mickelson: 34. Caps 4 (1995-97-99-02). Record: P16 W8 H3 L5

Davis Love: 40. Caps 5 (1993-95-97-99-02). Record: P21 W8 H4 L9

Jim Furyk: 34. Caps 3 (1997-99-02). Record: P11 W3 H2 L6

Kenny Perry: 44. Debut

David Toms: 37. Caps 1 (2002). Record: P5 W3 H1 L1

Chad Campbell: 30. Debut

Chris Dimarco: 35. Debut

Fred Funk: 48. Debut

Chris Riley: 30. Debut

Jay Haas: 50. Caps 2 (1983-95). Record: P8 W3 H1 L4

Stewart Cink: 31. Caps 1 (2002). Record: P3 W1 L2