Woods hits new heights

Tiger Woods has capped a remarkable season, even by his own imperious standards, by achieving the highest ever annual world ranking points average.

Tiger Woods has capped a remarkable season, even by his own imperious standards, by achieving the highest ever annual world ranking points average.

His average of 20.61 points, 7.46 ahead of closest rival David Duval, is also the largest ever lead held by a world number one.

Woods won 12 events, including the season's final Major, the USPGA, and finished the season with no less than eight victories in his last 11 world ranking events.

The 22-year-old American also subsequently triumphed in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and picked up the individual prize in the World Cup of Golf.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie moved from seventh to third in the rankings list after securing his seventh consecutive Order of Merit title.

Europe's undisputed number one gained a record six victories on the European Tour.

Spanish teenage sensation Sergio Garcia, who only turned professional in May but was twice a winner on the European Tour and second to Woods in the USPGA, rocketed up to 12th in the rankings from a lowly 399th.