Jason Day’s attempt to overtake the world No. 1 ranking this week has gone up to smokes after his poor performance in the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston. Day, currently ranked world No. 3, had spoiled his stellar run in the FedEx Cup after shooting two-over-par 73 to fall nine shots behind leader and former champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden.

Day, who came off a runaway win at the Barclays last month, failed to dethrone Irishman Rory McIlroy from the top spot of the world golf rankings, after recording his first over-par round since the final day of the US open in June. Day admitted that he had fallen short of the energy he needed to finish strong in the second leg of the four-tournament event.

"There's no excuse for poor playing," Day said, the Courier Mail reported. "I just wish I had a little bit more energy."

Day missed a golden chance to climb atop the leaderboard, with McIlroy struggling at the bottom of the overall standings, and American golfer Jordan Spieth missing the cut in the FedEx playoffs for the second time. Day began the third round six strokes behind second-rounder leader Charley Hoffman, but the Australian golfer never overcame a double bogey on the fourth hole, with another bogeys at the par-3 11th, 14th, and 16th.

Day has tied Spieth this season with four major victories, but the Aussie’s hot streak that gave him three titles, including a major, has now come to an end. On the other hand, the 22-year-old Spieth is now set to regain the top spot in the world rankings.

Meanwhile, world No. 8 Stenson shot a bogey free 6-under 65, including an eagle at the par-four fourth, when he holed out from the fairway. Stenson, who won the Deutsche Bank Championship two years ago before winning the FedEx Cup, felt good after playing well at the course.

"It's always good to be back at a course where you've performed well and played well," Stenson said, the Sydney Morning Herald. "I'll just try to keep it going."

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