Rory McIlroy has three top-10s from his last three starts at TPC Sawgrass and will be aiming for the winner’s circle at The Players Championship this week.
‘Results-wise the season isn’t what I’ve hoped for. My performances have been pretty good and I’ve had chances. Of the nine events I’ve played this year I have six top-10s, but there’s no wins in there.’
The Northern Irishman comes into the tournament on a run of three consecutive top-10s, topped by a tied-fourth result at Quail Hollow Club.
‘I haven’t converted opportunities, so it’s been frustrating. Especially because I feel that I’ve played some good golf. There have been too many mistakes. Last week I led the field in birdies, and at Augusta I was close to leading the field in birdies. There have just been too many mistakes, soft bogeys, so I need to tidy that up,’ he said.
The world number three leads the PGA Tour in par-five scoring and is superb tee-to-green, which makes him a favourite on the water-plentiful back nine at TPC Sawgrass.
‘I’m excited to come into this week. Over the past few years I’ve started to embrace this tournament and the golf course. I feel that I’ve played it pretty well, so I’m keen to have another go at it,’ he said.
In 2014 McIlroy shared sixth place after carding 66 in the final round. He has the potential to go low, and could produce another of his runaway victories.
‘I know now exactly what to do. I think the big thing is the mentality – working out what the number is, forgetting everything else, and getting to that number. It’s a matter of curbing my enthusiasm a little bit and choosing the correct shot each time,’ he concluded.
