After a 6 under par opening round, world number one Rory McIlroy is happy with his game going into round two of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.
The world number one recovered from an early bogey to go seven under par in the remainder of his round at Bay Hill and lie in second place, one shot behind American leader Matt Every.
McIlroy's recent form has been exceptional, but he hasn't parlayed that into a win in 2020. The County Down star had chances in Los Angeles and Mexico, but couldn't get over the line.
However, he feels this course, where he won in 2018, suits his eye and he's confident of carrying his good golf into the weekend.
"Definitely playing a bit better than I was playing in Mexico. Putting better. Driving it better. I think the course suits me a little bit better as well. So Mexico was frustrating because I started well and then just couldn't get the best out of myself for the final three days, where I'm a little more comfortable on this golf course, comfortable with this style of play, and a little more comfortable on the greens."
McIlroy is pretty clear what the key to victory is at the par 72, and he's taking inspiration from Tiger Woods.
"For Bay Hill I, think this course has always been about the par-5s. If you can play the par-5s well, you can play the rest of the course pretty conservatively and pick your spots. I mean, you're hitting irons off a lot of tees here, but if you can play the par-5s well -- I mean, that's what -- Tiger's won here seven or eight times, whatever it is, he killed the par-5s. He then could pick and choose where he was going to be aggressive. And just sort of trying to follow that plan because it worked pretty well for him."
Graeme McDowell is 4 under par and Padraig Harrington is 2 over.
McIlroy begins his second round at 5.44pm Irish time on Friday.
