Earlier in the week, before he teed off at the WM Phoenix Open, World No. 1 golfer Rory McIlroy was asked if he felt he was deserving of the ranking.
McIlroy, rightfully, responded with the type of confidence you’d expect from him at this point in his career.
🗣️let them know! pic.twitter.com/VTwbM3vyAN
— Riley (@rileyhamel_) February 8, 2023
I bring this up because only two days later that ranking feels outdated with the way Jon Rahm has been playing. And with back-to-back shots on Friday morning, the third-best golfer in the world made it clear why he should return to No. 1 for the first time since July 2020.
Just look at this magnificent hole-out for eagle on No. 15 as he cruised through the back nine during the second round on Friday morning.
Jon Rahm holes out from the bunker at the par-5 15th for eagle and a share of the lead @WMPhoenixOpen.pic.twitter.com/a0FFShT2az
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) February 10, 2023
That tied Rahm for the lead at five-under. Then he moved into the coliseum to tee off at the par-three No. 16 and came just inches away from sinking the first ace at the famed hole this weekend.
How do you follow up a hole-out eagle on 15?
With a raucous birdie at 16 🗣
Co-leader @JonRahmPGA delivers inside the stadium. pic.twitter.com/VwTAHtRu5P
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 10, 2023
Yeah, that’s the type of stuff the best golfer in the world can make look easy.
Rahm began the tournament as the odds-on favorite at +750. He moved to +240 after finishing up his birdie at No. 16 and moving to six-under par for the weekend. If he does pull off the victory, it’ll be Rahm’s third of the year in just five events played. An absolutely ridiculous run to kick off the heart of the Tour schedule.
Rory, meanwhile, has some work to do when he tees off Friday afternoon. The cut line is projected at one-over par and McIlroy will begin his second round at two-over.
A shakeup in the world rankings may be due if things continue this way.
