JUSTIN: I CAN MATCH MAC

JUSTIN THOMAS will bid to emulate Rory Mcilroy by becoming the first player to win a Major as world No.1 since the Ulsterman at the 2014 US PGA.

The American ended Jon Rahm’s one-week reign at the top of the rankings with victory in last week’s Wgc-fedex St Jude Invitational in Memphis.

Rahm, Mcilroy, Webb Simpson and Dustin Johnson can also end the first Major of the season as world No.1 and overtake Thomas. The 2017 US PGA champion Thomas, who missed last year’s event with a wrist injury and plays in the same group as Mcilroy and Tiger Woods, said: “It is great to be back at No.1 – now it’s just about trying to separate it and see how long you can hold it.

“But it’s not like I’m out here playing this week to prove my No.1 in the world rankings or to try and grow my lead.

“I’m out here for one reason, to win a golf tournament.”