10 August 2004	Tuesday	23 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

LONDON, Aug 9: Tiger Woods has equalled Greg Norman's record total of 331 weeks as world number one after the American again topped the rankings list announced on Monday.

Despite his poor form in majors since 2002, Woods has now been number one for a record 261st consecutive week. However, his reign could come under threat from second-placed South African Ernie Els or world number three Vijay Singh if either wins this week's US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.

Australian Norman was world number one in 11 different spells between Sept 14, 1986 and Jan 4, 1998. Norman, who turns 50 in February, last topped the world rankings in January 1998 after winning the Greg Norman Holden International but has not won a stroke play title since.

LEADING WORLD RANKINGS (PREVIOUS RANKING IN BRACKETS):

1. (1) Tiger Woods (US) 12.24 points average;

2. (2) Ernie Els (South Africa) 11.04;

3. (3) Vijay Singh (Fiji) 10.27;

4. (4) Phil Mickelson (US) 8.63;

5. (5) Davis Love III (US) 7.43;

6. (6) Retief Goosen (South Africa) 7.40;

7. (7) Mike Weir (Canada) 6.59;

8. (8) Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 5.86;

9. (9) Jim Furyk (US) 5.43;

10. (10) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 4.97;

11. (12) Kenny Perry (US) 4.88;

12. (11) Adam Scott (Australia) 4.78;

13. (13) Chad Campbell (US) 4.70;

14. (14) Darren Clarke (Britain) 4.48;

15. (15) Stuart Appleby (Australia) 4.42;

16. (16) Todd Hamilton (US) 4.21;

17. (17) Scott Verplank (US) 3.97;

18. (19) Stephen Ames (Canada) 3.80;

19. (18) David Toms (US) 3.72;

20. (24) Jay Haas (US) 3.71. -Reuters