Padraig Harrington has climbed 11 places to his highest ranking of third in the world after his Open Championship triumph.
But even victories in the next two majors may not be enough for him to catch number one Tiger Woods.
Woods, out of action for the rest of the year following knee surgery, still has more than double the points average of second-placed Phil Mickelson and over three times that of Harrington.
It has already been calculated that if Open champion Harrington won next month's US PGA and next April's Masters — providing Woods does not play until Augusta — he would still need some high finishes in other events to overtake the American.
Open runner-up Ian Poulter improves from 42nd to 23rd, while Greg Norman, who finished joint third, makes the biggest leap in rankings history — from 646th to 166th.
Harrington, who is not expected back in Ireland until late this evening, is now setting his sights on another crack at the US PGA title.
"Last year it was far too much far too quickly — I don't think it's going to be like that this year," he said this morning.
"It was a blur. This is more satisfying, but I don't believe I'm going to be as mentally hit.
"It's a more solid win and the high isn't the same. I'm looking forward to the PGA — I'll have to be disciplined in some area, but I should be ready."
Harrington, thankful for sports chiropractor Dale Richardson and psychologist Bob Rotella for their part in the victory following the wrist injury scare just before, also paid a glowing tribute to "genius" Scottish coach Bob Torrance.
"The knowledge he has of the golf swing is second to none and just incredible. He has spent his whole life examining swings and I have total trust in him."
Hard worker though he is, Harrington is promising himself a week off now before travelling to America for first the Bridgestone world championship in Ohio starting on Thursday week and then the final major of the year.
Asked to sum up the qualities which have taken him to the top Harrington said: "Determination, fortitude, ability to work through things.
"What you have under the surface is more important than what you have on top. Mental strength is far more important than talent."
Setting himself challenges takes him in unusual directions at time.
For example, he is working towards taking on a two-handicap friend in America in a long-driving contest — with the friend having both hands on the club, but Harrington only one.
That will happen when he takes the trophy with him to San Francisco — and while there he will try to hunt down the taxi driver with a golf glove who a few months ago never knew that in the trophy case on the back seat alongside Harrington was the Claret Jug.
Latest leading positions:
1 Tiger Woods 19.50, 2 Phil Mickelson 9.68, 3 Padraig Harrington6.37, 4 Adam Scott 5.54, 5 Ernie Els 5.53, 6 Geoff Ogilvy 5.40, 7 Sergio Garcia 5.36, 8 Stewart Cink 5.33, 9 Steve Stricker 5.22, 10 Jim Furyk 5.04
11 Henrik Stenson 4.94, 12 Justin Rose 4.87, 13 KJ Choi 4.85, 14 Anthony Kim 4.84, 15 Vijay Singh 4.76, 16 Kenny Perry 4.41, 17 Trevor Immelman 4.40, 18 Lee Westwood 4.28, 19 Rory Sabbatini 4.26, 20 Miguel Angel Jimenez 3.97
Other leading Europeans:
21 Luke Donald, 22 Robert Karlsson, 23 Ian Poulter, 30 Graeme McDowell, 33 Martin Kaymer, 41 Paul Casey, 43 Soren Hansen, 47 Fredrik Jacobson, 48 Oliver Wilson, 50 Niclas Fasth, 53 Anders Hansen, 55 Ross Fisher, 65 Nick Dougherty, 71 Carl Pettersson, 82 Colin Montgomerie, 83 Soren Kjeldsen, 86 Peter Hanson, 87 Daniel Chopra, 91 Steve Webster, 97 Alastair Forsyth, 99 Peter Hedblom
