Rory McIlroy didn’t plan on returning to No. 1 in 2014

Consider it a pleasant surprise. When plotting out his goals for 2014, Rory McIlroy didn’t plan for a return — much less a dominant one — to the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking.

However, three consecutive wins, including the final two majors of the year, quickly catapulted McIlroy above Adam Scott and into the top spot in the world.

“I remember sitting down with my team and thinking about what I wanted to do and it was going to take a lot to get back to world No.1,” McIlroy said Wednesday at the Emirates Australian Open.

“I didn’t think it was possible this year. I was thinking maybe early ’15. I was able to get back there at the start of August and it’s been a great journey back. I’m not saying I was ever gone in any way, but it was nice to be back playing golf the way I knew I can.”

This week marks the end of McIlroy’s 2014 campaign, giving him a chance to cap off the year by defending the title he won a year ago from a poised Scott that began his ascent back to the top of the game.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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