AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jason Day has been there. He’s climbed to the top of the mountain, stared at the view below and liked the look.

He’s had a taste of the No. 1 world ranking, liked the taste and he wants more.

Problem is, the 35-year-old Aussie is currently ranked 35th in the world (up from 175th) and is scratching to regain his form to keep up with the infusing of youth and talent taking over the game.

Scottie Scheffler, who is defending his Masters title this week at Augusta, is the current No. 1-ranked player, having won six times in the past 14 months.

Rory McIlroy, who’s ranked No. 2, has been No. 1 on several occasions.

Jon Rahm, ranked No. 3, just a few months ago looked like he’d never be beaten this year.

This is what Day — whose ranking had dipped so low a year ago that he didn’t even qualify for the Masters (the first time he had missed it after playing 11 consecutive times) — is facing at the moment.

The mountain seems steeper for him now than it did in 2015-16 when he won eight times and elevated to No. 1 in the world.

“To get back to that I think it feels like a long way,’’ Day said. “But I know it’s not that far. It’s hard to be patient, because you see guys succeed and you know that you can do it. But just small little things happen along the way, and things get gradually better and better, and then all of the sudden you’re back there. Last year, I was 175th in the world, and I’m back to 35 in the world, which is nice.’’

Day, whose form has improved as his ailing back has gotten better and as he has moved further away from the death of his mother, said he’s “more excited by the journey and trying to get back’’ to the top.

“The first time that I got to No. 1 in the world, I didn’t know how I got there,’’ Day said. “I know how I got there, but it was just through sheer great putting, hit it OK, but I just putted off the charts, and the mentality wasn’t sustainable. This time around, I’m enjoying the journey and I’m learning each and every day, and I’ve actually got a lot of love and passion for it.’’

Simply being back at the Masters, which Day called his favorite tournament, has reignited that passion a year after having to watch it on TV.

“It was disappointing to not be able to play last year’s event,’’ Day said. “Mentally, I was more disappointed in myself not being able to compete here and play in the major, especially, because my World Ranking ballooned out so far. It hurt my confidence a lot, not being able to play in the majors. So, I have been trying to work my way back in the top 50 and back up the world rankings, as well, but to be able to play these events.’’

At one point during his press conference Day said, “Look, I don’t have a lot of time,’’ referring to changes he’s incorporated into his swing.

“I’m 35, turn 36, I get older and the kids get younger,’’ Day said. “Every single year, there’s a new batch of young players that are coming out and hitting it further and longer. Sometimes, I have laugh because I have to compete against them. They are tough.’’

He said he’s drawn “inspiration’’ from Tom Brady and how he maintained excellence into his mid-40s before retiring from the NFL.

“For the longest time I said I’ll get to 40 and think about retiring,’’ Day said. “I feel like I can play to 50 now, which is great, and would be nice to get another 15 years out of my career and see what this second half of my career could unfold.”

He’s a long way from his days of dominance in 2015 and 2016. But Day believes he still has that form in him.

“In 2015, 2016, you feel invincible, like it’s never going to leave and you’re going to be on top of the world for a long time,’’ Day said. “And all of a sudden you get injured, and that mountain can be very jagged if you fall down it. It’s been an unbelievable learning experience, a very humbling experience to go from the No. 1 player in the world to 175 and then work my way back.”