• PGA Tour

McIlroy admits to physical issues

ESPN staff
February 27, 2013
Rory McIlroy believes he has sorted out problems with his swing © PA Photos
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Rory McIlroy believes he has found a driver that suits his swing after admitting to struggling since his multi-million pound switch to Nike.

The world No. 1 has failed to shine in the two tournaments he has taken part in this year, missing the cut at Abu Dhabi and losing in the first round of the WGC Match Play Championship.

The Northern Irishman put pen to paper with Nike in a deal worth an estimated $250m (£156m) last month, but having initially denied the new equipment was to blame for his lacklustre start to 2013, the 23-year-old has now revealed he is worried about his swing.

"It's still an adjustment period," McIlroy said of his Nike clubs. "It's more about how I'm swinging the club. That's the real concern."

McIlroy will be taking part at the Honda Classic as the defending champion at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, beginning on Thursday, which is only a short drive from his recently-purchased new home, and to combat his struggles has spent extra time during the off-season with swing coach Michael Bannon.

"It's a little bit mental, bit it was more physical (with my swing)," McIlroy admitted to. "The ball was the easiest thing. The biggest thing was finding a driver that suited me and I feel like I've got one now that really works. I just need tournament rounds to get that confidence in it."

On the subject of poor displays with his new equipment, McIlroy quickly dismissed the topic, saying: "I'm only two tournaments into the season. I've still got more 20 to go."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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