Irish golfers have received a New Year boost with the release of the World Rankings following the first events of 2012.

And this despite none of the country’s leading players teeing up last week in either the Africa Open or Monday’s concluding PGA Tour event in Hawaii.

Rory McIlroy remains Ireland’s leading World Ranked player at No. 3 in the world.

Graeme McDowell starts the New Year up a place to No. 12 in the world.

Fellow U.S. Open champion, Graeme McDowell has moved up a place to No. 12 in the world.

However Darren Clarke, winner of last year’s Open Championship, has slipped three spots to No. 51 in the world.

In contrast, triple Major winning Padraig Harrington has moved up a place to 84th as he strives to qualify for next month’s WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship.

Harrington has added next week’s Volvo Champions event at Fancourt in South Africa to his schedule in a goal to move back inside the top-64 in the world and the assurance of a Arizona tee time.

As well, the 40-year old Harrington needs to be inside the top 50 by March 5th if he’s to play in the WGC – Cadillac Championship in Doral, and the second World Golf Championships of the season.

Belfast’s Michael Hoey starts the New Year now ranked 98th in the world and up four places since the last ranking of 2011.

Former Irish Open winner, Shane Lowry has dropped two places to 121st in the world and Peter Lawrie is up two spots to 151st in the world.

However his good friend Damien McGrane continues a slide and down 21 places to 250th in the world after missing the Africa Open cut.