Thomas looks to reclaim top ranking

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — If you blinked, you might have missed Justin Thomas' reign atop golf's world ranking.

The PGA champion took the top spot in May. It's gone, with Dustin Johnson's win at Memphis last weekend catapulting him to No. 1, with Thomas just behind.

Of course, a win at Shinnecock Hills in the U.S. Open this week would push Thomas back to the top.

"It didn't affect me, or it wasn't that hard on me because I couldn't do anything about it," Thomas said. "I wasn't playing. I played one tournament and had a good tournament, finished eighth. And D.J. won, so it's not like he didn't play well and didn't earn it or anything. He won a golf tournament and a great tournament. So there's nothing I can be upset about for that."

PLAYOFF FEVER

Jordan Spieth now knows that when he's tied for the lead after 72 holes on Sunday, his work is not done.

The USGA has changed its playoff format for all its open championships. If the U.S. Open goes to a playoff, it will be a twohole aggregate playoff (followed by sudden death if still tied), instead of an 18-hole playoff.

Spieth was asked about the two-hole playoff.

"It's the first I've heard of that being an option," he said. "It's still 18 holes, right?"

Wrong.

"I guess the strategy changes a little from an entire round, but I honestly had no idea that it even changed," he said. "I was even looking at a weather forecast for Monday, thinking, 'What's it look like if you happen to work your way into a playoff?' So shows you what I know."

TRAILER LIVING

Jason Day has learned that life in a motor home can be rewarding on the PGA Tour. He also has learned it can be messy when Bubba Watson is around.

Day is staying in what he calls "the bus" in a parking area close to Shinnecock Hills for the U.S. Open. The Australian uses the RV for about 15 tournaments a season, and several other tour golfers have joined him.

One is Watson. "Bubba just got one this year, and I'm kind of more private, and he's, yeah, he's a little bit more outgoing," Day recalled, a wide smile on his face. "And I think we're at Augusta, and he walks under my bus, and he's like, 'Hey, man, what are you doing?'

"I'm just sitting in the bus watching TV. He's like OK. And he's standing there. And I'm like, do you want to come inside? And he's eating a burrito, and he decides to come in and talk to me for about 30 minutes. He gets his burrito all over the ground and then just leaves."