Jordan Spieth rises to No. 2 in golf rankings after Masters win
Jordan Spieth celebrates after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2015.
(Andrew Redington / Getty Images)Jordan Spieth, right, reacts in front of caddie Michael Greller after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2015.
(David Cannon / Getty Images)Jordan Spieth celebrates after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2015.
(Chris Carlson / Associated Press)Jordan Spieth tees off on the 12th hole during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National on Saturday.
(David Cannon / Getty Images)Danny Willett chips across a tributary on the 13th hole during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National on April 11, 2015.
(Andrew Gombert / EPA)Adam Scott drives from the ninth tee during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National on April 11, 2015.
(Darron Cummings / Associated Press)Angel Cabrera hits from a bunker on the 12th hole during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National on Saturday.
(Erik S. Lesser / EPA)Phil Mickelson plays out of a bunker on the 12th hole during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National on Saturday.
(Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)Jordan Spieth walks to the 14th hole during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National on Saturday.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)american Jordan Spieth looks at his lie before hitting a shot from the pine needles on the 14th hole during the second round of the Masters.
(Andrew Redington / Getty Images)Jordan Spieth hits out of the rough at No. 14 on Friday during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)Matt Kuchar leaps to see the pin at the fifth hole during the second round of the Masters on Friday.
(Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)Patrick Reed reacts after holing out from a bunker at No. 18 on Friday during the second round of the Masters.
(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)Ben Crenshaw hugs his longtime caddie Carl Jackson on the 18th hole after what Crenshaw says will be his last round at the Masters.
(Matt Slocum / AP)Ben Crenshaw hits out of a bunker at the 10th hole during the second round of the Masters on Friday.
(Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)Tiger Woods lines up his putt on the 18th hole during the first round at the 2015 Masters Tournament.
(Andrew Gombert / EPA)Jordan Spieth tees off on the 18th hole during the first round of the Masters golf tournament.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)The gallery reacts after
Trevor Immelman of South Africa jumps to watch his ball during Round 2 of the Masters Golf Tournament.
(Don Emmert / AFP/Getty Images)Scorekeepers wait for the start of Round 2 of the Masters Golf Tournament.
(Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images)Jordan Spieth reacts after his shot at the 15th green during the first round of the Masters Golf Tournament.
(Darron Cummings / Associated Press)Spectators walk down the first fairway during the second round of the
Spectators walk past the leader board before the first round of the
Honorary starter Arnold Palmer, a four-time Masters champion, hits the first tee shot to begin the tournament on April 9 in Augusta, Ga.
(Curtis Compton / Atlanta Journal-Constitution)Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches a putt on the first green during the first round of the 2015
Britain’s
Keegan Bradley of the United States plays a bunker shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the 2015
Spectators walk along the first fairway before the first round of the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga., on April 9.
(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)Jordan Spieth got more than a green jacket for his victory at the Masters.
On Monday, the 21-year-old rose to No. 2 in the world rankings on the strength of his big win at Augusta National Golf Club.
Spieth has said, repeatedly, that he wants to be No. 1.
“I think that I’m still behind, and so there’s still ... I’m still chasing that goal,†he said. “It’s going to be very difficult, but to be a large step closer is huge.â€
This year has seen the Texan steadily rising. He previously ranked No. 4, thanks to a victory at the Valspar Championship and two second-place finishes, all in the last month.
Rory McIlroy, who finished fourth at the Masters, kept his spot atop this week’s rankings.
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David Wharton has filled an array of roles – covering the courts, entertainment, sports and the second Persian Gulf War – since starting as a Los Angeles Times intern in 1982. His work has been honored by organizations such as the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors and has been anthologized in “Best American Sports Writing.†He has also been nominated for an Emmy and has written two books, including “Conquest,†an inside look at USC football during the Pete Carroll era.