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http://ping.fm/XgItf The Ulsterman claimed the £75,000 first prize in China after beating Stephen Lee 10-1 in the final, along with an abundance of ranking points that have propelled him five places to seventh place.

Mark Selby remains at the top of the list aftern his run to the Semi-Finals, followed by Mark Williams, despite the Welshman's indifferent form this season.

Ronnie O'Sullivan missed the event through illness, but good a win at the German Masters and a good run in the Welsh Open means he occupies 15th place, as he continues to hover dangerously above the cut-off line.

World champion John Higgins began the season in second spot, but a poor run in major events since winning the worlds a year ago has seen him slip to fifth.

He has reached just one major ranking Quarter-Final this season and will be out to set the record straight as he prepares to defend his Crucible crown following the China Open.

Shaun Murphy's fine run of form is reflected in his fourth place ranking; the Magician has been an ever present in the backend of major televised events and reached the Masters final, as well as claiming the Brazil Masters Invitational title.

World Open runner-up Stephen Lee leaps seven places to 11th, while Martin Gould's rise continues as he reaches 12th.

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry remains on the outskirts of the world's elite top 16 in 19th; The Scot has shown a bout of resurgence over the past few months and will be desperate to appear at the Crucible in April.

Further down, Tom Ford continues to make an impression; he won a PTC event earlier in the season and has risen eight places to 26.

Former world champion Peter Ebdon continues to plummet; he began the season in 13th, but a series of early exits and failure to reach the big events has seen him tumble to 28th.

Legends Steve Davis and Jimmy White both climb the order of merit, with Davis up two places and people's champion White up six.

The top 16 players automatically earn a place in major ranking events, while players from 17th position downwards must come through the qualifiers, with players playing one, two or three qualifying matches depending on their ranking.