'The clock is ticking' - McIlroy seeks winning groove

Rory McIlroy accepts he both "needs and wants" a strong performance in the Players Championship as he targets an end to his major victory drought.

McIlroy began the year with second place in the Dubai Invitational and victory in the Dubai Desert Classic seven days later, but has finished no better than 21st in each of his four events on the PGA Tour.

The world number two will seek a second victory at Sawgrass this week and also contest the Valero Texas Open immediately before the Masters at Augusta National, where a first major win since 2014 would make McIlroy just the sixth player to complete a career grand slam.

Asked if his recent form meant he needed or wanted a good week at PGA Tour headquarters, McIlroy told reporters: "Both probably. They've been middle of the road (finishes), 20th places or whatever it is. I'm not missing cuts but, at the same time, with how I've driven the golf ball the last three weeks I should be contending in the tournaments that I've played.

"I have this amazing feeling with my woods at the minute, but when I try to recreate that feeling with the irons, it starts left and goes further left.

"I have a swing thought for my woods and I need a different swing thought for my irons, and that's what I've been working on over the last couple days. I feel like every other part of the game is in great shape."

McIlroy has recorded 19 top-10s in major championships since winning the 2014 US PGA at Valhalla, which will host the event again from 16-19 May.

However, the 34-year-old's dismay at his failure to add to his four major titles was recently captured in the second season of Netflix documentary Full Swing as he reacted to Brooks Koepka's fifth major win in the 2023 US PGA.

"I feel good enough to f******