Rory McIlroy. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

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

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 3/8/23

Truth be told, the official world golf ranking system is pretty funky. But that doesn't stop anyone from checking to see where the pros are placed at the end of each weekend -- or ponder how one golfer can leapfrog another and get into that top spot.

Enter Rory McIlroy. PGA Tour figurehead and currently the third-ranked golfer in the world golf ranking, the Irishman was bumped from his seat atop the world ranking by Jon Rahm. But he can change all of that this weekend as the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass offers him an opportunity to get back into the top spot.

As the OWGR's official Twitter account details, McIlroy has a chance at the No. 1 spot if he finishes in the top 8 on Sunday and can secure that spot if he wins the Players outright.

World Number 3 Rory McIlroy scenarios:

WIN returns McIlroy to World Number One.

The minimum to be in with a chance of the No 1 spot is finishing within the Top 8#OWGR #OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ydhRfc7hzI
— OWGR (@OWGRltd) March 8, 2023

McIlroy, Rahm and Scottie Scheffler have been battling each other for the top spot in the world the entire season, and the fight has been particularly intense now that LIV Golf defector Cam Smith has been bumped from the top three. Rahm secured his hold on the No. 1 spot after starting the PGA season with three wins in six starts, but a rough showing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last weekend has put McIlroy in a position to leapfrog Scheffler and get back on top.

The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, tees off on Thursday. McIlroy, Rahm and Scheffler will tee off in a group together at 7:56 a.m. ET.

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