Rahm can reach world No. 1 for 1st time at Phoenix Open

Rory McIlroy had a shot at getting back to No. 1 in the world. Now it's Jon Rahm's opportunity to get there for the first time. And much of it depends on the incumbent, Brooks Koepka.

McIlroy needed to win at Torrey Pines to replace Koepka atop the ranking. Instead, he tied for third. McIlroy is taking a long view and figures if he keeps playing at this level, it will happen eventually.

According to a world ranking guru who goes by ''Nosferatu'' on Twitter, Rahm can reach No. 1 if he wins the Phoenix Open this week and Koepka finishes outside the top four at the Saudi International.

Koepka, who spent three months recovering from a knee injury, returned at Abu Dhabi and tied for 34th.

This is the second time Rahm has had a mathematical chance to reach No. 1. Two years ago, he needed to win the Farmers Insurance Open and was two shots out of the lead going to the 18th hole Saturday. He made double bogey and closed with a 77. Rahm, who already has nine victories worldwide that count toward the ranking in his three-plus years as a pro, has two wins and three runner-up finishes in his last seven starts around the world.