Rory McIlroy Back on Top of the World by Winning CJ Cup

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, holds the winning trophy after the final round of the CJ Cup golf tournament in Ridgeland, S.C., on Oct. 23, 2022. Stephen B. Morton/AP Photo

RIDGELAND, S.C.—Rory McIlroy capped off his steady march back to No. 1 in the world on Sunday, Oct. 23, with an explosive burst of three birdies late in the round to hold off Kurt Kitayama and win the CJ Cup in South Carolina.

Tied with Kitayama with five holes to go at Congaree, McIlroy ran off three straight birdies to seize control and finished with two bogeys, hardly enough to ruin the moment. He closed with a 4–under 67 for a one-shot victory.