section_path: Professional career/2020–2021: Return to world number one
section_name: 2020–2021: Return to world number one
paragraph_text: 2020–2021: Return to world number one
  
  McIlroy began 2020 with four consecutive top-5 finishes on the PGA Tour, which, along with his four wins in the previous calendar year, brought him back to world number one in the OWGR for the first time since 2015. Amidst the suspension of professional tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McIlroy, alongside Dustin Johnson, secured a win in a charity skins game in May 2020 played under the nearest-the-pin shot rule, as golf returned to television after nine weeks. The event raised around £4 million for relief efforts. In July, McIlroy lost his spot at world number one to Jon Rahm.
  
  At the delayed 2020 U.S. Open held in September, McIlroy finished in a tie for 8th place. He also recorded a top-5 finish at the 2020 Masters Tournament, which was delayed until November. In January 2021, McIlroy held the 54-hole lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. A final round 72 saw him finish in third place, five shots behind eventual winner Tyrrell Hatton. In May 2021, McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club by one stroke, which was his third win at Quail Hollow and his 19th PGA Tour victory.
  
  McIlroy represented Ireland at the Olympic Games in August 2021. He tied for third after 72 holes and lost in a seven-man playoff for the bronze medal. In September, he played on the European team in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. The US team won 19–9 and McIlroy went 1–3–0, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Xander Schauffele.
  
  In October 2021, McIlroy won the CJ Cup. He shot 62-66 on the weekend to win by one stroke over Collin Morikawa. This was his 20th PGA Tour victory, earning him life membership. In November, McIlroy held the 54-hole lead at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, as he sought to become the first player to win the event for a third time. He faltered with a final-round 74 and ultimately finished five shots behind the winner Morikawa.
  
  McIlroy began 2020 with four consecutive top-5 finishes on the PGA Tour, which, along with his four wins in the previous calendar year, brought him back to world number one in the OWGR for the first time since 2015. Amidst the suspension of professional tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McIlroy, alongside Dustin Johnson, secured a win in a charity skins game in May 2020 played under the nearest-the-pin shot rule, as golf returned to television after nine weeks. The event raised around £4 million for relief efforts. In July, McIlroy lost his spot at world number one to Jon Rahm.
  
  At the delayed 2020 U.S. Open held in September, McIlroy finished in a tie for 8th place. He also recorded a top-5 finish at the 2020 Masters Tournament, which was delayed until November. In January 2021, McIlroy held the 54-hole lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. A final round 72 saw him finish in third place, five shots behind eventual winner Tyrrell Hatton. In May 2021, McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club by one stroke, which was his third win at Quail Hollow and his 19th PGA Tour victory.
  
  McIlroy represented Ireland at the Olympic Games in August 2021. He tied for third after 72 holes and lost in a seven-man playoff for the bronze medal. In September, he played on the European team in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. The US team won 19–9 and McIlroy went 1–3–0, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Xander Schauffele.
  
  In October 2021, McIlroy won the CJ Cup. He shot 62-66 on the weekend to win by one stroke over Collin Morikawa. This was his 20th PGA Tour victory, earning him life membership. In November, McIlroy held the 54-hole lead at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, as he sought to become the first player to win the event for a third time. He faltered with a final-round 74 and ultimately finished five shots behind the winner Morikawa.