Rory McIlroy has moved back to the top of the world rankings by retaining the CJ Cup title.
The Northern Irishman supplanted American Scottie Scheffler as the world number one to reach the ranking for the first time since July 2020 - it is also the ninth time he has held the No 1 spot.
He posted a four-under-par 67 on Sunday to beat Kurt Kitayama by one shot to retain the title at Congaree Golf Club.
It was his 23rd career PGA Tour title and his third of the year. He claimed the RBC Open title in June and followed it up with a historic third FedEx Cup victory at the Tour Championship in August.
READ MORE:
-
Team Europe captain Luke Donald hopes Ryder Cup can ‘unify’ golf
-
Major money, big names, but no love: Lack of interest in LIV Golf speaks volumes
-
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy launch tech-based TGL Golf league
"If someone had told me on the Friday night of the Valero Texas Open [in April] 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 come 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.
2022 has been an impressive year for the 33-year-old. Alongside his three titles and return to the top of the world rankings, he finished inside the top eight at all four majors.
Reflecting on being the top player in the world again, McIlroy added: “It's a big achievement, I'm really proud of myself right now.
"The journey of trying to get the best out of myself, that's the satisfying thing.
"I never feel like I've figured this game out, I don't think I ever will figure it out, but every day I wake up trying to get closer."
