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Day gets the No. 1 ranking and the Match Play title

Jason Day, of Australia, hits out of the gallery on the fifth fairway during final round play against Louis Oosthuizen, of South Africa, at the Dell Match Play Championship golf tournament at Austin Country Club Sunday, March 27, 2016, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Jason Day, of Australia, hits out of the gallery on the fifth fairway during final round play against Louis Oosthuizen, of South Africa, at the Dell Match Play Championship golf tournament at Austin Country Club Sunday, March 27, 2016, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

By Associated Press March 27, 2016 1 min read

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Jason Day made his return to No. 1 in the world fell even sweeter Sunday by winning the Dell Match Play.

Day outlasted Rory McIlroy in an epic battle in the semifinals by making a 12-foot par putt on the final hole. The championship match against Louis Oosthuizen turned into a victory lap at Austin Country Club.

Day pulled ahead with a 10-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole, stretched his lead to 3 up at the turn and was relentless the rest of the way. He closed out Oosthuizen on the 14th hole to win, 5 and 4.

It was the biggest rout in a title match since Tiger Woods beat Stewart Cink, 8 and 7, in 2008.

Day now has won six of his last 13 starts.