Luke Donald returned to the world number spot with an authoritative four-stroke victory at the PGA Championships in Wentworth on Sunday.
Donald's sixth victory in 15 months makes his only the third player to win the European Tour's flagship event two years in a row. Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie are the others to have defended their titles. Donald won the title in 2011 after edging out Lee Westwood in a playoff.
This year was not even remotely that close as Donald took home a paycheck of $945,000 and replaced Rory McIlroy at the top of the rankings. McIlroy had a tournament to forget after failing to make the cut. Donald and McIlroy have traded placed six times over the past year.
The Englishman finished the tournament with a 15-under par total of 73 after carding a final round 68. Justin Rose and Paul Lawrie finished tied for second.
"What a great one to do it at," Donald said after the victory. "This is the biggest event on the tour.
Rose caught up with Donald early after four holes in the final round. But after that, Donald went up a couple of gears, a 25-foot putt at the 10th increasing his lead to three shots. At the back nine, Donald was rarely troubled and eased to a four-shot victory.
"I was just trying to keep my head down and plug away. I was swinging well and I have putted well all week.
"I just needed to settle down. After the fourth, I didn't give him (Rose) another hole where he was teeing off first, other than the eighteenth. I got the job done."
Donald said he was now keen on winning that elusive major. "I feel I'm getting closer. Everytime I win, it adds to my confidence.
"These victories are key to bringing that confidence into majors."
After completing the formality on the final hole, Donald raised his arms and hugged caddie John McLaren before he was mobbed by his family.
"I am very fortunate to have my family with me and share it with them. They are wonderful girls and I am a lucky man," a delighted Donald said.