Rory McIlroy is ranked No. 1 within the Official World Golf Rating. Spains Jon Rahm, whos ranked third, is on his heels and has carried out simply as nicely this season.
When a reporter requested McIlroy on Wednesday whether or not he is nonetheless one of the best participant on the planet, he did not hesitate in answering sure.
As a result of I do. I am taking part in nicely, McIlroy mentioned, throughout a information convention forward of this weeks WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. I really feel like, consistency-wise, I have been nearly as good as Ive ever been in my profession.
I mentioned on the finish of final 12 months, I really feel as full of a participant as I ever have. When you simply have a look at my statistical classes, there isnt any actual obvious weaknesses there. Ive labored actually onerous on that, to attempt to turn out to be a extra well-rounded participant.
It will be simple to argue that both participant is deserving of the No. 1 rating based mostly on what the 2 have performed of their previous eight worldwide begins. McIlroy has gained 3 times throughout that stretch, together with two weeks in the past on the Hero Dubai Desert Basic on the DP World Tour, during which he admitted his sport wasnt at its greatest. He additionally gained in his previous two PGA Tour begins, the CJ Cup in South Carolina in October and Tour Championship in August.
Rahm has gained 4 occasions since October, together with the Spanish Open and DP World Tour Championship on the DP World Tour and in back-to-back PGA Tour begins on the Sentry Event of Champions and the American Specific.
McIlroy has completed within the high 10 in every of his previous eight worldwide begins. So has Rahm, who additionally tied for second on the BMW PGA Championship in September.
I believe the outcomes converse for themselves, as nicely, over not simply the previous six months however actually the previous 18 months post-Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, I really feel like I have been on a very good run of kind since then, McIlroy mentioned.
The WM Phoenix Open would be the first assembly between McIlroy and Rahm within the U.S. because the CJ Cup, during which Rahm tied for fourth. McIlroy was fourth within the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, which Rahm gained by 2 strokes.
Defending WM Phoenix Open winner Scottie Scheffler, a four-time winner final 12 months, is ranked No. 2 on the planet. He can regain No. 1 with a second straight victory at TPC Scottsdale.
I like being No. 1 on the planet. I do not like being No. 2, Scheffler mentioned. It is simply form of a type of humorous issues. Proper now, I am ranked No. 2, however I might say I am not taking part in the second-best golf on the planet. I believe Rory and Jon are just about neck-and-neck for taking part in one of the best golf on the planet proper now, so the rankings are humorous. It is simply an algorithm. You do not get any further trophies or something like that for having it for a brief time period, nevertheless its extra of a mirrored image of different issues, I might say, however I do not like being No. 2.
I might relatively be No. 1.