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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Pastor's sermon: "Violence will not have the last word" ... Oregon shooter showed little sympathy in calculated killings ... Our View: Gun lobby's influence exceeds its support ... Pastor's sermon: "Violence will not have the last word" ... Oregon shooter showed little sympathy in calculated killings ... Our View: Gun lobby's influence exceeds its support ... GOLF Battle of the new 'Big 3' at Deutsche Bank Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 4, 2015 at 2:00 AM By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 4, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News NORTON, Mass. — Based more on current form than a mathematical formula, Jordan Spieth believes Jason Day is the No. 1 player in golf. Day is coming off a six-shot victory in the opening FedEx Cup playoff event. In his previous tournament, Day became the first player to finish 20-under par in a major when he won the PGA Championship. He has won three of his past four tournaments. "He's playing the best of anybody right now," Spieth said Thursday at the Deutsche Bank Championship. "Until somebody dethrones him — hopefully me this week — he's still that guy to beat right now." Day has dreamed of being No. 1 in the world since before he even joined the PGA Tour. But he's interested in the ranking, not an opinion. That's why he points to Rory McIlroy and Spieth, the two guys ahead of him in the two-year ranking system. "I can't say I'm the No. 1 player in the world right now," Day said. "I just can't do it. There's two guys ahead of me that have played phenomenal golf over the last two years. I've played good golf, but I really played fantastic golf just in the last seven weeks." As for McIlroy? He went back to No. 1 even though he didn't play last week. At least not in New Jersey. "The world ranking people must have saw how I was playing at home," McIlroy said with a laugh. Golf hasn't seen a three-man race for No. 1 at such a high level of play in more than 10 years. McIlroy, Spieth and Day each have a chance to get to No. 1 at the Deutsche Bank Championship, which starts today. Day would have to win. It's so close between No. 1 and No. 2 that Spieth has the easier road to the top this week. Four players had a shot at No. 1 going into The Players Championship, though that was a matter of who got there by default. This is different. All three have an average of at least 10.99 points in the ranking. The previous time three players all had a double-digit average with No. 1 up for grabs was Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els going into the 2005 Masters. Woods was the youngest of that version of the "Big Three." He was 29. Day is the oldest in this group. He's 27. The first showdown starts today on the TPC Boston, even if none of them are looking at it that way. "I'm not focused on what either one is doing on the leaderboard unless they're in the lead," Spieth said. "And then if they're in the lead, how do I get up there and surpass them? But honestly, it has no effect off the course. We're working hard just to try to win the tournament. There's 100 guys this week that are fully capable of having four good days and winning this event. And hopefully, that can be." By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 4, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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