GOLF ace Rob Rock has catapulted in to the world's top 100 after his victory in Abu Dhabi last weekend.

The Belfry professional has risen from 117th to 55th in the space of a week after beating a high-class field in the desert including the top four players in the world and the greatest golfer of his generation and arguably any generation, Tiger Woods.

The 34-year-old overcame an early challenge from Woods and a late charge from US Open champion Rory McIlroy to hold on for victory in the HSBC Golf Championship, with a bogey six at the 18th earning him a one-stroke victory over the Northern Irishman.

Rock now stands tantalisingly close to achieving one of his ambitions for the year, qualification for The Masters at Augusta in April.

To achieve that, Rock most be in the world's top 50 after the Sicilian Open which finishes on April 1.

But in winning his second title in successive years (he won his maiden event – the BMW Italian Open – in June, 2011) Rock has secured his Tour Card until the end of 2014.

He moves to second place in the Race to Dubai standings with 411,734 Euros, behind South African Branden Grace, who has won the two previous tournaments.

He has now played three tournaments and not finished below 12th in each.

Rock overcame the ultimate frontrunner, becoming only the ninth player to win a tournament when Tiger is holding or sharing the lead after 54 holes. The American has won 52 times from that position, including each of his 14 Major victories. Rock himself now has a two from two 54-hole lead-to-win conversion rate.

Rock has qualified for two World Golf Championships, the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Ohio and the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai in November.

Looking ahead to the Ryder Cup being held at Medinah Country Club near Chicago in September, Rock sits in 12th place in the European points list and ninth in the world points list.

However, because many names appear at the top of both lists, Rock's current ninth place standing in the world list would give him the 10th and last automatic Ryder Cup berth.

The top five in each qualify for the European team after the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles which concludes on August 26.