Jordan Spieth reclaims No. 1 ranking after top-10 finish in China

Jordan Spieth entered last week’s WGC-HSBC Champions event with his eye on a player not even in the field for the two-time major winner’s PGA Tour 2015-2016 season opener. He exited with Jason Day’s previous spot atop golf’s world rankings.

“It was certainly a goal coming into this week,” said Spieth, whose T7 finish in China was good enough to wrest No. 1 away from Day once again. “When that No.1 ranking slips away, it leaves some unrest in you and you really want to get back at it.”

Day, who has traded places with Spieth for some seven weeks, missed the China tourney while anticipating the birth of his second child. Spieth closed out his Shanghai start with a 2-under 70 that put him at 15-under overall -- five shots back of Russell Knox, who earned his first PGA Tour victory by two shots over Kevin Kisner.

Spieth’s ascension marked the eighth time in 2015 the No. 1 ranking has changed hands. Rory McIlroy began the year at the top and held the position for 34 weeks; Day gave way to Spieth after three straight weeks at the pinnacle.

Speaking of McIlroy, who has dropped to third place thanks to lackluster play since he returned from a July ankle injury, he took one of the most unusual penalty drops you’re likely to see on tour.

After splashing his drive on the par-5 18th in the second round at the HSBC, McIlroy actually dropped his ball into the water hazard.

No harm, no foul, though, since there’s no penalty for a lousy drop, and McIlroy salvaged par on the hole.

Dustin Johnson was not so fortunate when he got to the par-5 eighth in Sunday’s HSBC finale. A double bogey ensued and DJ finished T5.

We’re guessing Tiger Woods can relate.