Rory McIlroy insists he’s “better than ever” heading into the main season and that one of the best is but to come back, after he claimed his second PGA Tour title in as many months.
The world No 2 adopted his season-opening victory on the AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am with a St Patrick’s Day success at The Gamers, coming by a Monday play-off in opposition to JJ Spaun to win the PGA Tour’s flagship occasion for a second time.
McIlroy’s newest victory marks the primary time in his profession that he was gained twice in a calendar yr on the PGA Tour earlier than The Masters, the one lacking main in his bid to finish the profession Grand Slam.
The 35-year-old has 21 high 10s in majors since his final success on the 2014 PGA Championship, whereas McIlroy’s exceptional consistency has seen him end exterior the highest 20 simply 3 times in his final 21 worldwide begins.
“The only multiple major champions and multiple Players champions are Jack [Nicklaus], Tiger [Woods], Scottie [Scheffler] and myself, so it’s a pretty nice group to be a part of,” McIlroy stated after his victory at TPC Sawgrass, his twenty eighth PGA Tour title.
McIlroy is the eighth winner to register a number of victories at The Gamers
“I really feel like I am a greater participant now than I ever have been, and it is good to see the fruits of my labour paying off.
“I’ve worked really hard. I feel like I’m a way more complete player than I was a few years ago. I feel like I can play in all conditions and anything that comes my way. Really happy that I was able to get it done.”
McIlroy speaks to caddie Harry Diamond after his victory at The Gamers
Tools change sparks higher fortunes
McIlroy’s victory got here simply 9 days after he deserted an gear change mid-tournament and forked out $995 on an Uber to switch his unique TaylorMade membership from his Florida house to Bay Hill, forward of the ultimate spherical of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Reverting to his unique driver and woods didn’t produce an instantaneous impression as McIlroy discovered simply 4 fairways off the tee in an opening-round 68, whereas he went into the weekend one stroke again regardless of a disappointing end to his second spherical.
McIlroy got here to the ultimate spherical 4 strokes off the tempo however charged three forward with six holes to play, solely to extend fears of one other near-miss in a giant occasion when he squandered his lead and slipped right into a play-off with Spaun.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights from a marathon Sunday at The Gamers, the place McIlroy posted a four-under 68 regardless of a poor end to his spherical
“Standing over that tee shot on 16 (first play-off hole) is the most nervous I’ve been in a long time,” admitted McIlroy, who revealed he awakened at 3am and couldn’t get again to sleep forward of the play-off.
“I think that will stand to me, feeling like that and being able to hit the golf shots that I need while your stomach is not feeling great, your legs are a little shaky and your heart-rate is racing. To have to go through that, it’s nice to have that in recent memory for some of the tournaments coming up.”
McIlroy completed runner-up 4 instances – together with the US Open, Amgen Irish Open and BMW PGA Championship – final season, though he feels he’s now higher outfitted to deal with being in rivalry.
“It doesn’t feel like I’m making those mistakes at the critical times like I was previously,” he defined. “I feel a giant a part of that was simply studying from these errors
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
McIlroy got here near successful the Dubai Invitational, the US Open, the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship in 2024, however he in the end fell simply quick in all 4 tournaments
“It’s a long career. You have to stay incredibly patient. Yeah, I would say that some of those losses have helped me learn what to do when I’m in those positions again.”
Masters on the thoughts for McIlroy?
McIlroy will likely be among the many favourites as soon as once more at The Masters, the place world No 1 Scottie Scheffler is defending champion, with the Northern Irishman hoping to proceed to finetune his sport in his subsequent PGA Tour begin – one of many Texas occasions – earlier than heading to Augusta Nationwide.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
As The Masters approaches, watch a number of one of the best and worst pictures from McIlroy at Augusta Nationwide
“I think just double down on what I’m doing,” McIlroy added. “I’m certainly a proponent of if it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it. Everything feels like it’s in good working order at the minute.
“I am a greater putter. I am higher across the greens. I can flight my ball higher within the wind. My potential to form pictures each methods. Not at all did I’ve my finest stuff this week, however I used to be nonetheless in a position to win one of many greatest tournaments on the earth. That is an enormous factor.”
Asked if his best golf could be yet to come, McIlroy told Sky Sports: “Completely. I do not assume I needs to be out right here if I did not imagine my finest golf was in entrance of me.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
McIlroy displays on his triumph at The Gamers
“I want to try to keep improving and getting better and it’s the reason that, after 16 or 17 years out here, I’m still doing it.”
He added: “The younger guys coming out are getting better every single year and I need to keep working hard to hang with them. I’m doing a pretty good job of that. I feel like I’ve still got a few years left in the tank.”
Watch Rory McIlroy in PGA Tour, DP World Tour and main motion all year long dwell on Sky Sports activities. The Masters is completely dwell from April 10-13 on Sky Sports activities Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
