Back-to-form McIlroy targets two Major wins in 2014

World number six wants to make up for lost time

Rory McIlroy sits in the umpire’s chair while fiancée Caroline Wozniacki takes a break from her preparations for the   APIA International tennis tournament in Sydney on Thursday. Photograph: April Fonti/EPA
Rory McIlroy sits in the umpire’s chair while fiancée Caroline Wozniacki takes a break from her preparations for the APIA International tennis tournament in Sydney on Thursday. Photograph: April Fonti/EPA

Rory McIlroy has targeted two Major victories in 2014 to make up for his barren run in golf’s most coveted tournaments last year.

The former world number one, who announced his engagement to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki on New Year's Eve, feels like he has his mojo back and wants to win two Major championships this year.

The 24-year-old ruled the golfing roost in 2012, winning five titles including a second Major at the USPGA, but a change of equipment and some off-course legal distractions coincided with a slump in form that has seen him slide to sixth in the rankings.

McIlroy ended a 12-month drought by landing last month’s Australian Open title and he said that victory had restored his belief going into the new season.

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“I feel that my game is really coming back, going down to Australia and winning,” the 24-year-old told the BBC.

"Beating (world number two) Adam Scott down there was really nice and while it doesn't make up for the other weeks during the year, it gives me some momentum for 2014.

“I won a Major in 2011 and 2012 but not in 2013 so I’ll try to make up for that with two this year.”

McIlroy said he was learning to handle the pressure of competing for golf’s top prizes.

“I’m so much better down the stretch and so much better under pressure than I used to be,” he said.

“If I give myself a chance in these tournaments I know I’ll have a great opportunity to win. I feel I am very close, I’m confident with my game and confident where it’s going,” added McIlroy who also won the US Open in 2011.

“I didn’t have the greatest of seasons in 2013 but I feel like I’ll definitely make up for that in 2014.”