World Golf Rankings 2012: Rory McIlroy Back On Top, Despite Sitting Out Heritage Classic

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC - APRIL 13: Luke Donald of England hits his second shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the RBC Heritage presented by Boeing at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 13, 2012 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Luke Donald needed to finish in the top-8 at the RBC Heritage Classic to maintain his position atop the Official World Golf Rankings. After firing a disappointing 71 on Sunday, Rory McIlory once again holds the crown.

Luke Donald had a lot on the line going into the final round of the 2012 RBC Heritage: finish better than 8th, and Donald keeps his #1 position in the Official World Golf Rankings. Anything lower, and Rory McIlory would once again sit atop the list.

Looks like there is a new sheriff in town... again.

While Carl Pettersson was busy running away with the tartan jacket - and his fifth PGA TOUR victory in the process - Luke Donald was trying his best to protect his ranking. After firing a final round 71 on Sunday afternoon, however, Donald would finish tied for 37th with a tournament total of 286. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy will once again leapfrog Donald in the OWGR come Monday, marking the second time this season that the two men have switched positions on the list.

"Is it a concern? No," Donald said following his round on Sunday. "Obviously, I'd have liked to have played a bit more consistently this year. I built it up nicely last year through tournaments and winning a bunch. As a result, there's a little bit of fluctuation in the world rankings now."

Donald held the #1 ranking for 40 weeks heading into the 2012 season before losing his seat to McIlroy after his win at the Honda Classic last month. However, Donald would take back the top ranking a mere two weeks later after winning the Transitions Championship.

At last year's RBC Heritage Classic, Donald battled with eventual champion Brandt Snedecker in a playoff after playing four solid rounds at Harbour Town Golf Links. His performance this season was certainly a disappointment, however, and he will once again be playing second-fiddle to the 22 year-old McIlroy.