McIlroy: 'I’ve already had that euphoric moment in 2012. That's all you need'

It took Rory McIlroy four and a half years to get back his No. 1 status in the world. It could take only a week to lose it again at this week’s Tiger Woods-hosted convention of golf superpowers in California.

After reclaiming the No. 1 ranking on Monday in a mathematics transfer after all the principle players took last week off, the top spot is on the line at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles. McIlroy, unseated Brooks Koepka, and red-hot No. 3 Jon Rahm each have a chance to lay official claim to being called “the best golfer in the world” with strong finishes in an elite gathering at Riviera Country Club. The PGA Tour field includes nine of the top 10 and 19 of the top 25 ranked players in the Official World Golf Rankings.