The frustration of not being able to win the US PGA Championship was quickly put behind Jordan Spieth on Sunday at Whistling Straits. Although the 22-year-old American finished second, three strokes behind champion Jason Day in the last major of the season, the consolation prize was more than significant.
“This is by far the best loss I’ve ever had,” Spieth said after totaling 271 strokes (-17) at Whistling Straits.
The Texan’s second place, combined with Rory McIlroy’s seventeenth place (279, -9), allowed him to displace the Northern Irishman and become the new number one on the planet as of Monday.
“I have achieved one of my main goals in my life and a very important one in golf,” Spieth said. “They can never take this off my resume. I will always be a world number one in the history books.”
“I’m very happy, but I understand that it will be very tough to stay on top with the many young players who are playing very well,” added the reigning Masters and US Open champion.
Both McIlroy and Spieth will not participate in the Wyndham Championship this week. According to current projections, that would allow the Texan to stay at least two weeks at the top of the world ranking.
“Two inevitable things happened today – Jason Day won a title and Jordan Spieth became number one on the planet – congratulations to both!” posted McIlroy on his Twitter account.
It is also worth noting that the American has become the second youngest world ranking leader in the history of golf, only surpassed by his compatriot Tiger Woods, who was 21 years old when he reached the top in 1997.
Regarding his second place in the PGA Championship, the American was clear: “Jason deserved the title. I tried to put pressure on him, but he played incredible the whole tournament and never let up”.
Spieth’s next appointment with the PGA Tour will be The Barclays, an event that opens the FedEx Cup playoffs on August 27.
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