Rory McIlroy's recent US Open triumph has catapulted him into the top three in the world.
He now finds himself behind Lee Westwood and Luke Donald after Martin Kaymer's failure to finish in the top eight at the BMW International Open in Munich.
It is the first time since the rankings were introduced in 1986 that the top three players are all from the UK.
Five Europeans are currently in the top ten, compared to just three US golfers, which bodes well for next year's Ryder Cup.
European players are currently enjoying a good run of form as Pablo Larrazabal claimed the BMW Championship following a playoff with fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia.
Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson won his maiden PGA Tour title at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.
Fourteen-time major winner and former world number one Tiger Woods, who has been out since May with left leg injuries, has slipped to 17th in the rankings after his period of inactivity.