Rory McIlroy hopes to eliminate struggles before Sawgrass returns

McIlroy took a two-shot lead after opening round 65 in last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, but beat opposite rounds by 76 at the weekend.

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Rory McIlroy hopefully he has erased his memory of recent struggles as he bids to win The Players Championship for a second time.

McIlroy took a two-shot lead after opening 65 in last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, but reversed 76 rounds over the weekend and called the harsh conditions at Bay Hill “like crazy golf.” .

The major four-time champion also struggled on his most recent visit to Sawgrass as his 2019 Player Champion title defense was delayed, rounds 79 and 75 missed opportunities.

“I didn’t know last year was 79 years old. I was trying to forget about it, but thanks for reminding me,” McIlroy joked during his pre-tournament press conference.

“I came here last year not very confident in my golf game. I don’t feel like I played well. I kind of missed two ways. I feel a lot more comfortable with my game this year.

“I don’t want fate to tempt, but it’s going to take a drastic change in my game between now and Thursday for me to go and shoot 79 on the first round, but that’s golf and you never know.”

McIlroy said on Sunday that he will only need a day to get over his unhappy experience at Bay Hill and revealed that he is far from feeling “drunk” from the experience.

“There was a lot of alcohol being drunk in the dressing room when I went there on Sunday afternoon by a lot of players, so it’s not just me out there in trouble,” the 32-year-old added.

“Yesterday (Monday) was like a day off, a day of travel. Going up from Orlando. Got a quick workout here and just got organized. I don’t touch clubs. I just left them alone for a day.

“I think sometimes those Mondays between tournaments can be important, you just flip the switch a little bit and recharge, then you wake up on Tuesday morning feeling a little bit better about everything. things and you will do it again.”

McIlroy celebrated St Patrick’s Day in style by joining Sandy Lyle as the only Briton to win the so-called ‘big five’ in 2019recovered from an early double in the final round and another dropped on the 14th to knock out Jim Furyk with a single hit.