PGA Tour: Rory McIlroy “proud” of “wild” return to world No. 1 after successful CJ Cup title defense | Golf News

McIlroy overtakes Scottie Scheffler at No. 1 in the world and tops the standings for the first time since July 2020 thanks to a one-shot victory in South Carolina; The CJ Cup win is his third PGA Tour win of the year

Rory McIlroy has admitted his return to the top of the world rankings came quicker than expected after securing the world No. 1 spot with a successful CJ Cup title defense.

McIlroy recorded a 23rd PGA Tour win and third of the year with a one-shot win over Kurt Kitayama at Congaree Golf Club, with the Northern Irishman posting an under-67 despite finishing his last round with consecutive bogeys.

The four-time major champion’s success follows winning the RBC Canadian Open in June and a historic third FedExCup win at the Tour Championship in August, with McIlroy’s latest title also seeing him pass Scottie Scheffler to become No. worldwide for the ninth time.

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

Highlights from day four of the CJ Cup in South Carolina, where Rory McIlroy retained the title and returned to world number 1.

“If someone had told me on Friday night the Valero Texas Open [in April] when I missed the cut that I would be world No. 1 in October, I would have asked them what they were smoking because I wouldn’t have believed them,” McIlroy admitted after his win.

“Yeah, it’s been a crazy six months. I figured out a few things with my game and just had a really good run.

“Everything seems to have fallen into place for me and today was just a continuation of what I felt like I had been playing for the past few months. Now it’s about moving forward and to try to continue.

McIlroy mixed seven birdies with three bogeys on the final day to end the week on 17 under

“It’s unbelievable. It’s a lot to deal with right now with everything, but I’m really proud of myself with how I handled this week knowing what was at stake and really how I played those last months.”

McIlroy’s return to world number 1 for the first time since 2020 caps off a standout year where he also finished in the top eight at all four major tournaments, with the 33-year-old proud of his progress over the past 12 months.

Rory McIlroy fell as low as world No. 16 last summer and remained outside the world top 10 until his 2021 CJ Cup victory

“That tournament last year was the start for me to try to rebuild myself to this point,” added McIlroy, who was world number 14 when he won the CJ Cup in 2021. I had a really tough Ryder Cup, I think I wasn’t in the top 10 in the world and that’s not a position I’m used to.

“I think just the steady rise to the top of world golf and what it takes is not just me, it’s everyone on my team. It’s not a solo effort .

“Just thinking about the last 12 months, there are a lot of people who deserve a lot of applause and I’m the one who sits here and takes them, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes that the people don’t know.

“All of those things combined are just as important as what I do to try and get those wins. It’s a team effort and I think every time I think about it that’s what makes me a bit stuffy and emotional because it’s really cool to do this trip with other people that you want to do the trip with.”

The CJ Cup is the second title McIlroy has defended this year, having also won back-to-back RBC Canadian Open.

The victory also sees him become the first defending FedExCup champion since Tiger Woods in 2008 to start his PGA Tour season with a win, giving McIlroy plenty of confidence for the rest of the year.

“The three wins I’ve had have to go out there and earn them, right?” McIlroy explained. “I shot 62 to win in Canada, I shot 66 at the Tour Championship, then I went out with a lead today and shot four cents to win.

“I think that’s been the most satisfying thing. I got into position all those three times and I went out there and did the job and did what I needed to. That are great progress and big steps in the right direction.”