McIlroy Achieves 'First 2 Consecutive Wins at The CJ Cup'... "Now I'm Number 1~"

McIlroy shoots 4-under on final day of The CJ Cup to win by 1 stroke
23rd career victory with a 2.7 billion won jackpot... Surpasses Scheffler to become world No. 1

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Defending champion Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) achieved his first consecutive 2-time victory at the tournament.

On the 23rd, Rory McIlroy celebrates after making a birdie putt on the 16th green during the final round of the CJ Cup golf tournament held at S.C. Ridgeland.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 23rd (local time), McIlroy surged with a 4-under-par on the final day at the CJ Cup, a PGA Tour event held at Congaree Golf Club (par 71, 7,655 yards) in Ridgeland, South Carolina, USA, finishing with a 1-stroke victory (17-under-par 267). This marked his 23rd career win, two months after winning the Tour Championship, the final event of last season's FedEx Cup Playoffs in August. The winner's prize money was $1.89 million (2.7 billion KRW).

Rory McIlroy is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the final day of the CJ Cup. Ridge Land, USA ? Photo by AP Yonhap News

Starting with a 1-stroke lead, McIlroy recorded 7 birdies and 3 bogeys. After energizing with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 2, 4, and 6, he was halted by a '3-putt bogey' on the 8th hole (par 4). However, he changed the momentum with a birdie on the 12th hole (par 5), and extended his lead with three consecutive birdies from holes 14 to 16. Consecutive bogeys on holes 17 and 18 did not affect his victory. Utilizing powerful drives up to 385 yards, he secured birdies on all three par-5 holes. McIlroy will be announced as the new world number 1 in the rankings released this afternoon, pushing Scottie Scheffler (USA) to second place.

Kurt Kitayama (USA) reduced 4 strokes to finish second (16-under-par 268). Lee Kyoung-hoon (31) performed well with a 3-under-par but settled for third place (15-under-par 269). He failed to achieve his third career win after five months since his consecutive victories at the AT&T Byron Nelson in May. Jon Rahm (Spain), ranked 5th in the world, tied for fourth place (14-under-par 270). Past champions of this tournament, Justin Thomas (USA), who won in 2017 and 2019, tied for 40th place (2-under-par 282), and Scheffler finished tied for 45th place (1-under-par 283).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.