McIlroy to race Day, Spieth for No 1 spot

LONDON — Rory McIlroy faces a fight from Jordan Spieth and Jason Day to retain his world No 1 ranking at the Deutsche Bank Championship — which started in Boston yesterday — but will do so recognising that currently he is third best of the trio.

McIlroy lost the No 1 tag to Spieth in the last tournament the Northern Irishman appeared at, the USPGA two weeks ago. But courtesy of the vagaries of the ranking system, McIlroy regained it last week without even playing — as he rested his left ankle following the torn ligament that forced him to skip the Open — when Spieth missed the cut at The Barclays in New Jersey.

Not only does Spieth have another chance to usurp McIlroy, but Day, the Australian who followed up his USPGA breakthrough with a six-shot victory on Sunday, can also scale the summit should he prevail at TPC Boston and McIlroy and Spieth both finish third or worse. These permutations have given the second event of the FedEx Cup play-off series an enthralling backdrop, with McIlroy possessing an obvious chance to restate his credentials. “I’m sort of holding this ranking based on how I played last year,” said McIlory. “But if you went on a one-year system, you’ve got to say Jordan (is the world No 1), and then Jason.”

McIlroy also requires a decent finish because of the FedEx standings. With Day leading and Spieth in second, McIlroy is 15th and only the top five will be guaranteed the US$10 million (S$14.2 million) bonus if they win the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.

The 26-year-old has set himself this ambition, together with retaining the Race To Dubai, the European Tour’s equivalent. On Wednesday, Keith Pelley, the European Tour’s chief executive, allowed McIlroy to remain eligible for the Order Of Merit, despite the player not planning to fulfil the minimum 13 events.

McIlroy has only played nine so far and will only tee up in three of the four tournaments that comprise the Final Series.

Pelley said he arrived at the controversial verdict because he was “convinced that he (McIlroy) could not commit to any further tournament participation without risking further injury and persistent weakness to the ankle.” But McIlroy suggested his wish not to play more than two events in a row had little to with his injury. “Obviously, there’s a physical element to it, but previously and going forward it’s more mental,” said McIlroy. The Daily Telegraph