Thursday 28 May 2015 10:51, UK
A refreshed world No 1 Rory McIlroy has targeted getting back to winning ways on home soil at this week's Irish Open.
McIlroy is looking for his third win in five events after following victory in the WGC-Cadillac Match Play with a third consecutive top-10 finish in the Players Championship, a seven-shot win at Quail Hollow and a missed cut in the BMW PGA Championship last week.
The world No 1 has failed to make it past the second round of the Irish Open for the last two years, but believes he will benefit from a third early exit in four years at Wentworth, where he collapsed to a second round of 78 in the defence of his title.
"I wanted to play well last week but I think at the same time having the weekend off will benefit me for this week," the 26-year-old added. "I do feel refreshed.
"I didn't get out of bed until one o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday. I came here on Sunday and played a quiet 18 holes. I came back on Monday morning and played.
"I feel very prepared. That (Wednesday's pro-am) was my third practice round. I haven't played three practice rounds for a tournament since the Masters. I really just want to do well this week and it (missing the cut) has given me a bit of extra time which I think I can use.
"Even if you play four or five weeks in a row, physically you feel fine. It's more just the mental challenge of trying to keep it at that high level the whole time. Sometimes you just need to let yourself come down for a few days. That's
what sort of happened. I just couldn't really keep it going."
McIlroy has has revealed he will not make a penny from this week's event, with all money raised being donated to his own charitable foundation, which is hosting this week's tournament at Royal County Down.
The Rory Foundation's involvement has helped to deliver a top-class field with Players Championship winner Rickie Fowler one of the star attractions.
Fowler and McIlroy competed against each other in the 2007 Walker Cup at Royal County Down and McIlroy added: "It wasn't that hard a pitch to make to Rickie. I knew what a fan he was of the golf course.
"I was very pleased that Rickie and Sergio (Garcia) were in the play-off at the Players a couple of weeks ago; it creates more buzz about this tournament and it was great to see him win."
Watch the Irish Open live from May 28-31 live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
