TaylorMade staff player Rory McIlroy regained the world No.1 spot for the first time since 2020 after the 33-year-old successfully defended the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup in South Carolina.
Leading by one at the start of the final round at Congaree Golf Club, McIlroy carded a brilliant four-under 67, with four birdies in a five-hole stretch on his back nine helping him pull clear of the chasing pack.
McIlroy shots rounds of 66, 67, 67 and 67 for a total of 17-under to mark his sixth straight season with a win, which was his 23rd PGA Tour success.
McIlroy was tied for the lead as he stood on the 14th hole before making three consecutive birdies to vault to a three-stroke lead. A 13-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole with his Spider X and TP5x kickstarted the run.
The now World No.1 followed up with a world-class bunker shot on 15 with his Milled Grind 3 wedge from the greenside bunker that rolled to just outside five feet setting up the subsequent birdie make. On 16, McIlroy ripped a 359-yard drive with his Stealth Plus driver and then drained a 21-foot putt to make his third consecutive birdie.
McIlroy will hold the No.1 spot in the world for the 107th week in his career, which is fourth most all-time.
RORY MCILROY WITB
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (9°)
Fairway woods: TaylorMade SIM2 3 (15°); Stealth Plus 5-Wood (19°)
Irons: Rors Proto (3-9)
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 (46°, 54°, 58°)
Putter: Spider X Hydro Blast TP5x
Ball: TaylorMade TP5