Lloydy On Top Of The World

COLIN LLOYD'S triumph in the Stan James World Matchplay has ensured that he takes the number one spot in the World Rankings.

Phil Taylor recaptured the world number one berth in January when he won the Ladbrokes.com World Championship, although Lloyd's form on the circuit took him back to the top of the rankings by February.

Despite Taylor's wins in the Budweiser UK Open and Las Vegas Desert Classic, Lloyd has managed to increase his lead over The Power.

His triumph at the Winter Gardens last Saturday - giving Lloyd his second major title inside a year - ensured that he reached the landmark figure of 500 points.

Ronnie Baxter has moved up to third in the rankings with his form in 2005, and he is level on 440 points with second placed Phil Taylor.

Wayne Mardle is up to fifth, while Peter Manley has slipped from third to sixth despite reaching the semi-finals in the UK Open and World Matchplay.

Chris Mason has jumped from 31st to 26th in the standings, while Adrian Lewis' rapid rise has seen him move up 16 places to 34th.

James Wade is another big improver, moving from 46th to 31st.

The top 24 players after the Ireland Open Classic, on 10 & 11 September, will qualify automatically for the Sky Bet World Grand Prix, where they will be joined by four PDPA qualifiers and four Irish qualifiers.