Rory McIlroy. Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports

Rory McIlroy listed as favorite to win CJ Cup, could take over as world No. 1

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/17/22

PGA Tour action returns this week as some of the world's best descend on Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina for The CJ Cup. But for one very familiar face, the opportunity to snag the spot at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking is also up for grabs.

Rory McIlroy, fresh off of a FedEx Cup victory, is the early favorite to repeat his CJ Cup success this weekend at Congaree, according to DraftKings.

Opening odds for this week's CJ Cup (DK):

Rory McIlroy +650
Jon Rahm +900
Scottie Scheffler +1100
Max Homa +1600
Justin Thomas +1600
Matt Fitzpatrick +1800
Sungjae Im +1800
Jordan Spieth +2200
Shane Lowry +2200
Tom Kim +2800
Collin Morikawa +2800
Viktor Hovland +2800
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) October 17, 2022

The Irishman currently sits at No. 3 in the world and has the chance to bump Scottie Scheffler from the top spot as he defends the CJ Cup crown.

The world No. 1 ranking is up for grabs this week at Congaree.

Rory McIlroy, who enters the CJ Cup ranked second in the Official World Golf Ranking, has a chance to unseat No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. https://t.co/eaKpLoaMXQ pic.twitter.com/URwYMYnZwO
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) October 17, 2022

It won't be an easy feat, mind you, with this year's CJ Cup field being packed with some of the world's best talent. Scheffler, along with world No. 5 Jon Rahm, PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas, and U.S. Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick will all challenge McIlroy this week.

15 of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking will compete at THE CJ CUP in South Carolina next week, including No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, No. 3 Rory McIlroy and No. 5 Jon Rahm.

Field: pic.twitter.com/VK2JELbVph
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) October 14, 2022

Per the PGA Tour's website, the winner of the CJ Cup will receive 500 FedEx Cup points.

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