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Rory McIlroy turns 26 and stays at No. 1

Rory McIlroy tosses his golf ball after missing a putt on the eighth green during the Match Play Championship in San Francisco on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy tosses his golf ball after missing a putt on the eighth green during the Match Play Championship in San Francisco on Sunday.

(Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
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At least one of Rory McIlroy’s birthday presents on Monday was no big surprise.

The golfer from Northern Ireland -- who turned 26 -- awoke to find himself still at No. 1 in his sport.

“This is the start of a nice little run of golf for me and I wanted to come out and play well and increase my lead in the world rankings, which I’ve done after this win, and keep it going,” he said after his victory in the WGC-Cadillac Match Play last weekend.

McIlroy planned to spend his birthday with family before heading to TPC Sawgrass for the upcoming Players Championship. He has held the top spot in golf since winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last year.

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Now his schedule continues with a string of tournaments including the Wells Fargo Championship and the Irish Open.

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