Rory McIlroy acknowledges dry spell ahead of Zozo Championship

Rory McIlroy sees this weeks’ Zozo Championship as an opportunity to end his win drought and gain some confidence.

The Northern Irishman has been winless since November 2019 when he lifted the WGC – HSBC Champions trophy in China and it’s something that’s clearly weighing on his mind.

But it’s not as though McIlroy has been hacking his way around courses since.

Since the PGA Tour’s behind-closed-doors return in June, McIlroy hasn’t missed a cut in 11 starts and has four top 12 finishes. But by his high standards, this is not enough.

“It’s an opportunity to win a PGA Tour event, a really good PGA Tour event,” said McIlroy of the Zozo Championship, which tees off on Thursday at Lake Sherwood.

“That’s first and foremost what my focus is. It’s been a year, basically, since I’ve won. I haven’t won since China last year so.

“I haven’t really been in contention much since coming back from the lockdown so If I could get in contention this week and have a chance to win, I think that would be great for overall confidence and play and all that.

“But obviously, [winning] would also be great looking ahead at a couple of weeks time…”

Of course, McIlroy is referring to the rescheduled Masters at Augusta. A green jacket remains the only missing feather in McIlroy’s major cap, so it’s understandable the event has a certain significance in the Holywood native’s mind.