McIlroy surges to top at CJ Cup

Rory McIlroy made two eagles en route to a 4-under 67 that was enough for a one-shot lead at the CJ Cup at Ridgeland, S.C., and a clear road to return to No. 1 in the world.

McIlroy hit a 6-iron that took the slope and rolled out to 2 feet for eagle on the par-5 fourth. He smashed a 376-yard drive and made his second eagle with a 30-foot putt on the par-5 12th.

The rest of the round was even par, a mix of good birdies and sloppy bogeys, and it added to a one-shot lead over Jon Rahm, Kurt Kitayama and K.H. Lee.

McIlroy was at 13-under 200, with hopes set on going back to No. 1 in the world for the ninth time in his career, and first time since the summer of 2020.

Thitikul in front at Wonju: Atthaya Thitikul hit five birdies on the back nine and will take a one-stroke lead into the final day of the BMW Ladies Championship at Wonju, South Korea.