Jason Day returns to world No.1

• Aussie’s progress in WGC Dell Matchplay pays off
• Will return to top of OWGR on Monday morning
• “I’ve been busting my butt and doing the right things”

Jason Day will return to the top of the official world golf rankings when the standings are updated tomorrow morning.

The Australian’s progress to the last four of the WGC-Dell Matchplay Championship ensured that he will leapfrog Jordan Spieth at the top of the rankings, following Spieth’s last-16 defeat to 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.

Spieth, who will begin the defence of his Masters title in just over a week’s time, has been world No.1 for the last 20 weeks, stretching back to November 8. He took the ranking from Day, who had been top of the standings for the three previous weeks.

“It’s been a bit of an up-and-down week” – Jason Day

“It’s not so much about the No.1 rank that really gets me excited,” said reigning PGA champion Day. “It’s more so the journey and the process that it’s taken. To get to the top of your sport takes a long time and so for me it’s that delayed gratification, I’m really thankful for and very happy for, because I have been busting my butt and doing the right things. To be No. 1 in the world is fantastic.”

Day, who is aiming for back-to-back PGA Tour victories following his win at last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, almost had to withdraw from WGC Dell Matchplay after injuring his back in his first round round victory over Graeme McDowell on Wednesday. He admitted that it was, as a result, a surprise to find himself in the final four in Texas.

“It’s been a bit of an up and down week, especially emotionally,” added Day. “It’s been quite amazing to be able to start the week and not really thinking I’m going to be able to play with what happened on Wednesday and turn around I’m No. 1 in the world on Saturday. It’s a strange feeling. I’m glad I stuck it out.”

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Jason Day :: Did you know…

Jason Day is the 19th different player to be ranked world No.1 and the third Australian after Greg Norman and Adam Scott.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor