Back on top: Rory McIlroy is once again the world No1
(Picture: Getty Images)Rory McIlroy admitted he has surprised himself after regaining golf’s world No1 spot for the first time in more than two years with victory at the CJ Cup.
The Northern Irishman produced seven birdies to finish on 17 under par and one shot ahead of the field to defend his title, as he secured his 23rd PGA Tour victory, and third of 2022, to leapfrog Masters champion Scottie Scheffler at the top of the sport.
A year ago McIlroy went into the same tournament 14th in the world and seemingly a long way off the kind of form that has seen him spend more than 100 weeks at number one in the rankings during his career.
He arrived at the Masters in April off the back of a missed cut but finished second at Augusta, with an eighth-place finish at the PGA Championship his worst display in the majors this year.
While there was frustration at St Andrews in the summer after he was unable to get over the line in the 150th Open, McIlroy will believe there are more chances to come in golf’s biggest tournaments after winning in his first start of the PGA Tour season.
“If someone had told me on the Friday night of the Valero Texas Open when I missed the cut that I would be world No 1 by October, I would have asked them what they were smoking because I would not have believed them,” McIlroy admitted after his victory.
“Yeah, it’s just been a wild six months. I figured a few things out with my game and I’ve just been on a really good run.
“Everything sort of feels like it’s came together for me and today was just a continuation of how I felt like I’ve been playing over these last few months. Now it’s all about going forward and trying to just keep this going.
He added: “I have worked so hard over the last 12 months to get myself back to this place. I feel like I’m enjoying the game as much as I ever have.
“I absolutely love the game of golf and I think that when I go out there and I play with that joy, it has definitely showed over these last 12 months. It feels awesome.”
