Woods drops to 12th in world ranking, out of top 10 for first time in 14 years

Tiger Woods has fallen to 12th in the world rankings, dropping out of the top 10 for the first time in 14 years.

Woods is out with left knee and Achilles injuries. He has not won a tournament since the Australian Masters 18 months ago. He dropped four places in the new rankings published Monday.

Lee Westwood of England remains at No. 1, with Charl Schwartzel of South Africa taking Woods’ place in the top 10.

Second-ranked Luke Donald missed his chance to overtake compatriot Westwood and become No. 1 after losing in the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship to Ian Poulter on Sunday. Ian Poulter moved from 22nd to 14th in the world with his Volvo Match Play victory.

The last time Woods was ranked outside the top 10 was April 1997, before he won the Masters for the first of his 14 majors.

After Westwood and Donald, reignng PGA Champion Martin Kaymer remains third, with Phil Mickelson still in fourth place. U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell is in fifth, just above his fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy. Schwartzel, in eighth, jumped ahead of Steve Stricker and Paul Casey, while Matt Kuchar held on to the tenth spot.

The second 10 consists of No. 11 Bubba Watson, Woods, No. 13 Dustin Johnson, Poulter, No. 15 Nick Watney, No. 16 K.J. Choi, No. 17 Jim Furyk, No. 18 Hunter Mahan, No. 19 Francesco Molinari and No. 20 Ernie Els.