Rory McIlroy has returned to the top of the world rankings for the first time in five years after replacing Brooks Koepka.
The four-time major winner officially took the world No.1 spot again on February 10, ending Koepka’s 38-week reign at the top since winning the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in May.
Neither McIlroy or Koepka played in last week’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am, but the two-year rolling format of the ranking system takes the Northern Irishman top again.
This is McIlroy’s first time back at world No 1 since September 19, 2015 and he will now be hoping to stay their for the long-haul following his fine form in recent times.
Since missing the cut at The Open at Royal Portrush last year, the 30-year-old from Northern Ireland has bagged nine top-10 finishes in 11 starts, including two victories. He has finished third, first, fourth and third in his last four events.
Koepka has suffered two injury lay-offs during the ranking period that have counted against him, but in terms of form he can have few complaints at being dislodged.
It will be McIlroy’s 96th cumulative week as world No 1 – the fourth most of any player, behind only Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo.
Both McIlroy and Koepka are scheduled to compete at the Genesis Invitational in California, which begins on Thursday (Feb 13).