PGA TOUR
THE CJ CUP
McIlroy Returns To World No. 1 With Win At The CJ CUP
Rory McIlroy will officially return to world No. 1 after successfully defending his title at THE CJ CUP in South Carolina. Staged at the stunning Tom Fazio-designed Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, the 33-year-old Northern Irishman fired a brilliant 4-under 66 final round to overcome a star-studded field winning by one shot. McIlroy overtakes Scottie Scheffler to become the world No. 1 for the 9th time and heads the men’s game for the first time since July 2020. With his 23rd PGA Tour victory, the reigning FedExCup champion moved one win clear of Raymond Floyd (22) and is within one victory of legend Gary Player, who owns 24 titles.
McIlroy began the final round with a narrow one-shot lead over America’s Kurt Kitayama, Spain’s Jon Rahm and South Korea’s KH Lee. It was the 17th time on the PGA Tour he held either the lead or co-lead after 54 holes. The four-time major winner was tied for the lead with Kitayama and Rahm after eleven holes on Sunday before stepping on the gas mid-way through the back nine making four birdies in five holes to enjoy a three-shot cushion with two holes to play. The stunning stretch featured his third birdie on the trot at the 16th hole where he drained his putt from 22 feet. A messy bogey at the 17th hole brought the margin back to two shots playing the 72nd. He could even afford a three-putt bogey at the final hole to finish at 17-under and edge Kitayama by one shot.
Kitayama was searching for his maiden PGA Tour win. The 29-year-old took solo second place at 16-under after producing a solid bogey-free 4-under 67 final round.
KH Lee carded a final round 3-under 68 to claim outright third place at 15-under.
US Open champion Tommy Fleetwood moved up to a tie for fourth place after firing a sizzling 6-under 65 that included eight birdies to reach 14-under. The Englishman shared that position with Rahm, who closed with a 2-under 69.
Jason Day and Cam Davis were the only Australians in the field. Day, aged 34, continued his early season good form as he attempts to climb back up the world rankings. The former world No. 1 with 12 PGA Tour wins to his name, posted all four rounds in the 60s including a 4-under 67 on Sunday to get to 10-under and finish in a tie for 11th place. Day enjoyed a T8 result two weeks ago at the Shriners Childrens Open at his last start. Davis signed for a final round 1-under 70 to get to 9-under. The 27-year-old finished in a tie for 13th place.
America’s Rickie Fowler finished T34 in his 300th PGA Tour appearance. Compatriot Justin Thomas posted a T40 result at his 200th PGA Tour start.
The PGA Tour moves to Bermuda for next week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship to be staged at Port Royal Golf Course. Australia’s Lucas Herbert is the defending champion.
Final Scores
THE CJ CUP
1. Rory McIlroy -17
2. Kurt Kitayama -16
3. KH Lee -15
T4. Tommy Fleetwood -14
T4. Jon Rahm -14
6. Aaron Wise -12
T7. Billy Horschel -11
T7. Sam Burns -11
T7. Lee Hodges -11
T7. Brendon Todd -11
Australians
T11. Jason Day -10
T13. Cam Davis -9
Photo credit: Gregory Shamus /Getty Images
