RORY McIlroy has lost his world number one ranking to American rival Jordan Spieth following the US PGA Championship.
McIlroy, 26, made his comeback from injury at the event in Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, which was won by Australian Jason Day on Sunday.
However, Spieth finished second in the final golf Major of the year, with McIlroy finishing a lowly 17th despite ending up a respectable score of nine under par, seeing the Irishman leapfrogged in the rankings.
Spieth, 22, was aiming to become just the third player in history to win three Majors in a calendar year following his wins at the Masters Tournament and US Open, and McIlroy was gracious in conceding top spot to the youngster.
He said: "Honestly, the way Jordan has been playing and the way I haven't played much this year – I think that was only my 12th or 13th event – it's very deservedly so.
"Winning two majors, winning a couple of other times this year, had a chance at the Open, had a chance today. I'd be the first one to congratulate him because I know the golf you have to play to get to that spot, and it has been impressive this year."
Spieth has become the second youngest world number one in history after Tiger Woods.
Here's Golf's new World Top 10, with @McIlroyRory unfortunately dropping down to No.2 pic.twitter.com/5mtBNtjCXZ
— Irish Post Sport (@IrishPostSport) August 17, 2015
