Monday 7 August 2017 00:31, UK
Rory McIlroy is upbeat about his chances of landing his first major for three years as he reflected on the positive aspects of his performance at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
McIlroy made an early charge up the leaderboard at Firestone Country Club with three birdies over the first six holes, holing a combined 84 feet of putts on the second, fourth and sixth greens, but a bogey at the ninth halted his progression.
Hideki Matsuyama was already firmly in control of the tournament by the time McIlroy dropped further shots at the 14th and 15th, although he did ensure his fourth sub-70 score of the week as he holed from seven feet for birdie at the last to close on seven under par.
The world No 4 was satisfied with a share of fifth, albeit nine shots adrift of the Japanese ace, and in his first event with close friend Harry Diamond on his bag after deciding to part company with long-time caddie JP Fitzgerald after nine years together.
McIlroy has not added to his tally of four majors since winning the 2014 PGA Championship in a dramatic finish in near-darkness at Valhalla, but he feels confident of producing a strong challenge at Quail Hollow, the course where he lifted his maiden PGA Tour title in 2010 and collected a second Wells Fargo Championship crown two years ago.
"I think it's been a good week," McIlroy told Nick Dougherty at the Sky Cart. "Obviously I wanted to play well here, but with one eye on next week. I never want to treat this as a prep week as it's such a big tournament in itself, but I thought I saw a lot of good stuff to take with me to Quail Hollow.
"If I keep driving it the way I've been driving it and just taking advantage of those tee shots, and I felt like my wedge play got better as the week went on, and my iron play got a little better also, those are the two key things.
"If I can sharpen that up and be really good with that part of my game next week, then I feel I'll have a really good chance."
