McIlroy improves his swing

Last updated: 19th February 2013

Rory McIlroy, who is the 2012 finalist at the Match Play Championship, said he was ready for this year's event.

McIlroy, who hasn't played any competitive golf since his premature exit from the Abu Dhabi Champion earlier this year, said he was happy with his golf swing.

McIlroy, playing under the Nike banner for the second time since the major sponsorship deal was confirmed earlier this year, said he had altered some aspects of his game, adding that he should be adequately prepared to make an impression this week.

"I'm actually much happier with how I'm swinging the club," said McIlroy on Tuesday.

"I feel like I've turned the corner with my swing.

"I've got it back on track... It's been really nice to have this break. I feel like I needed it, and I'm really excited to be back out on Tour," said the Northern Irishman.

McIlroy spent the past 12 days working on his game near his new home in Florida.

He also made minor tweaks to golf clubs. He has a new shaft for his Nike Covert driver and added 6 grams of weight, plus a new shaft, to his Nike putter.

McIlroy was the subject of much criticism when he failed to make the cut at the Abu Dhabi Championship, which is something he had expected.

"I knew (being criticized) would happen if I didn't play well, and I probably put a little bit too much pressure on myself to play well because of that," said McIlroy, who is in a better state of mind after taking a brief break from golf.

"I didn't play as well as I would have liked, but as I said, I had a nice few weeks off and I feel like I'm coming into this event prepared and ready and swinging the club well, which is nice, and I'm hitting the ball well. Hopefully that can translate into playing some good golf and getting quite far into this week," added the Irishman.