How Jordan Spieth can take over Rory McIlroy’s No. 1 ranking at the PGA

Jordan Spieth got the better of his two-day shootout with Rory McIlroy at Whistling Straits and if all goes well for the reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion, he’ll overtake his rival for the No. 1 ranking on Sunday.

Spieth shot 1-under 71 and 67 to McIlroy’s dual 71s in the first and second rounds of the PGA Championship. The former will head into the weekend within striking distance of the leaders and with his eye on completing the so-called “American Slam” -- winning all three major tilts held on U.S. soil.

Additional bragging rights are on the line as well, as Spieth could dethrone McIlroy from atop the world rankings if he wins the PGA and the four-time major victor finishes in a share of second or lower.

There are four other ways in which Heir Jordan could leapfrog Boy Wonder for the top spot. With McIlroy safely within the cut line, the fifth of the following scenarios under which Spieth could leapfrog him is off the table, but the other four are still in play:

McIlroy, apparently fully recovered from his July 4 ankle injury, has owned the No. 1 position since the 2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Spieth, who would join the elite company of Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods if he were to win three majors in the same season, had the opportunity during McIlroy’s injury hiatus to grab the top slot at the British Open and last week’s Bridgestone.

Prior to their duel this week, McIlroy owned Spieth in their eight previous meetings.

Spieth put a bit of a dent in the lopsided scoring and hoped to do more damage over the weekend. He has moved steadily up the rankings leaderboard with those two major wins as well as victories at the 2015 Valspar Championship and John Deere Classic and nine other top-10 finishes this year.