Spieth targeting long run at number one

Jordan Spieth is determined to hold onto top spot in the world rankings after getting his first taste of being the world's top-ranked player.
The 22-year-old's second place finish at the recent PGA Championship was enough to see him surpass Rory McIlroy at the top of the standings after the Ulsterman failed to defend his title at Whistling Straits.
The FedEx Cup playoffs get underway on Thursday with The Barclays, and despite McIlroy not taking part in the event, Spieth will drop down to second in the rankings if he finishes in anything worse than a tie for 14th.
While happy that his reign at the top of the standings has lasted more than a week, Spieth certainly isn't ready to relinquish the position.
"I'd like to obviously hold [the world No 1 ranking]," Spieth told reporters. "There are people, plenty of guys on the Tour right now that have held that position for longer than a week, and I'm happy to be in that position now.
"I don't know the feeling of trying to hold No 1 because now you're the one with the target and everyone else is chasing towards that position.
"The only way I think about going about it is just focusing on this week. If you win each week, you're going to stay No 1 and in my mind, the goal is to approach each tournament to try and win."
Spieth admits that he doesn't consider the FedEx playoffs to be on a similar standing to the four majors, but with a $10 million win bonus up for grabs he joked that it would "certainly put food on the table".
“I put winning the FedExCup below a major championship,” he said.
“It’s something I’d love to win someday. The names on that trophy are no fluke. And so it’s something that hopefully I get a lot of chances at. I’d certainly set it as something I want to achieve more than winning just any regular event, definitely.
“It’s something that would put some food on the table for sure."
Spieth has enjoyed a fantastic 2015 campaign, winning four titles, including the Masters and U.S. Open, while recording 14 top-10 finishes.
Latest
-
News
Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy fighting for form ahead of Masters return
Johnson is the defending champion.
-
News
The main talking points ahead of the Masters at Augusta National
Rory McIlroy faces an uphill task to complete a career grand slam after a loss of form.
-
News
‘Investigation concluded’ into the cause of Tiger Woods’ car crash
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the details could not yet be released.
-
News
Resurgent Jordan Spieth feeling confident ahead of Masters challenge
For those not qualified, the Valero Texas Open is the last way to get into the Masters.
-
News
American Nelly Korda taking ‘relaxed’ approach into first major of the season
Korda finished joint runner-up at Mission Hills Country Club last year.
-
News
WATCH: Robert MacIntyre in seventh heaven after securing Masters invite
The young Scot admits he thought it would probably never happen.
-
News
Billy Horschel claims all-American final against Scottie Scheffler in Austin
Scheffler had plenty of crowd support as a native Texan and drew first blood at the Austin Country Club.
-
News
Colin Montgomerie criticises slow play as Horschel and Scheffler reach final
It took Scottie Scheffler and Matt Kuchar four hours and eight minutes to complete their match.
-
News
Tommy Fleetwood’s challenge in Texas ends despite ace
Billy Horschel was one of three Americans to reach the last four in Austin.
-
News
Tommy Fleetwood books quarter-final place in Austin after hole-in-one
The Englishman’s ace at the fourth followed Sergio Garcia’s hole-in-one there on Friday.