Rory McIlroy tees off on the 12th hole during the first round of the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament. Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Here's how Rory McIlroy can become World No. 1 again

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 2/15/23

While most of the attention at this week's Genesis Invitational has been on Tiger Woods, there are two other big names that could regain the spotlight by the end of the weekend: Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler, the 2022 Masters champion, reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the official world golf ranking last weekend with a win at the WM Phoenix Open, bumping the Irishman from the coveted spot. But there is a way that McIlroy can reclaim his place atop the standings.

As The Irish Times summarizes, a win this weekend for McIlroy is all it takes to put him back on top -- regardless of how Scheffler finishes.

"If McIlroy wins the Genesis Invitational he will overhaul Scheffler regardless of the latter’s result, while outright third place would be good enough for McIlroy unless Scheffler finishes in the top 25 or Jon Rahm wins or is outright second," the publication said.

McIlroy is still the second-favorite in the latest Genesis Invitational odds at DraftKings at +850, with Rahm maintaining his stance as the favorite at +750 odds. Scheffler is the third favorite at +1000.

Rory McIlroy finishing up his pro-am.

Second favorite @DKSportsbook +850 this week in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/J6WCRJVV3a
— Golfbet (@GolfBet) February 15, 2023

Rahm poses just as much of a threat to McIlroy as Scheffler does these days after posting back-to-back wins at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express to open up the PGA Tour season. The Spaniard placed third at last week's WM Phoenix Open, while McIlroy finished T-32.

The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Golf Club in Southern California tees off on Thursday.

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