13 February 2023 , 14:31
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Golf star Rory McIlroy will get a chance to regain golf’s top spot in double quick time.
The 33-year-old was enjoying life as the number one player in the world, but after four months, Scottie Scheffler has snatched it from his clutches. However, McIlroy’s golden opportunity to regain the ranking will come as early as later this week at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.
The golf star will return to the summit of the world rankings with a top three finish at the California-based event. The tournament will feature icon Tiger Woods, who will be making his first competitive appearance since last year’s Open Championship.
The PGA Tour’s new structure, which the Northern Irishman himself helped to create, sees the top players compete in 16 of 17 elevated events this season. This past weekend Scheffler successfully defended his title at the Phoenix Open, hosted at the TPC Scottsdale course.
McIlroy, who is not the biggest fan of the American course, trailed in 32nd place as Scheffler secured victory by two shots over Canada’s Nick Taylor. Scheffler picked up £3million for this triumph, £500,000 more than he collected at Augusta when he won his first major last year.
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An upbeat Scheffler said: “You don't get any extra trophies or anything like that for having it for a short period of time, and it's more of a reflection of other things I'd say, but I don't like being No 2. I'd rather be No 1..
“Nobody was going to give the golf tournament to me. I had to go out and earn it. I was definitely proud of the result.
"I think I only had two bogeys this week which is really, really good around this golf course. I’m hoping to build on this going forward." Scheffler has returned to the top spot after McIIlroy hunted him down last October.
Scottie Scheffler is back on top spot (Getty Images)He carded an eagle and four birdies en route to becoming the seventh player to successfully defend the title in Phoenix and moved up to fifth in the FedExCup standings in the process. “This was where I won my first Tour win and this is so fun,” Scheffler said.
“I don't know how to put in this words, but it does feel pretty good to be world No 1. "I'm just proud with how I fought today. I didn't have my best stuff, but I grinded it out. I wasn't hitting it good off tee, my irons didn't feel as sharp, but I played a great round of golf today.
"I started to build some momentum early today and saw some putts go in, so I'm really grateful with the result."
McIlroy refused to make any excuses for what was his first finish outside the top ten in ten tournaments. "It’s not an event I historically play but I feel like I'm a good enough player to figure it out and contend and win on any golf course,” he said.