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Players Championship 2013: Rory McIlroy looks for a spark

Rory McIlroy enters this week hoping that the 2013 Players Championship will result in his first win of the season.

David Cannon

Rory McIlroy has been pretty lackluster in 2013, all things considered.

The former world No. 1 has struggled for most of this season, recording only three top-10 finishes in the seven PGA Tour events he has played. Yes, most players on tour would die to have that type of showing. However, for a player of McIlroy’s ilk, anything less than a victory in any tournament is a letdown.

Still, the Northern Irish superstar seems to have put his game back on track despite a slow start to his season that included a missed cut in Abu Dhabi (along with his bro Tiger Woods) and a toothy WD from The Honda Classic in March. He has since carded a top-three finish at the Valero Texas Open (which he played in preparation for The Masters), a T25 finish at Augusta National and a T10 at last week’s Wells Fargo Championship. Things are looking up!

It seems “Rors” has discovered -- and remedied -- a small glitch in his swing.

“At the first few events of the year I had a big miss to the right and I have eliminated that. The more you can put your ball on the fairway you’re going to do well,” said McIlroy.

”I hit the ball very well from tee to green for the most part of the week. I got a good feeling.

“Hopefully, I can take the good things from this week into next week. I’m looking forward to doing well at Sawgrass.”

Golf fans everywhere would love to see Rory continue his recent steady play. This week marks the sixth time McIlroy will play in the same tournament as Woods, each time finishing lower than his Nike bestie. The two players remain ranked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the World Golf Rankings. Sadly, while most fans would love to see the two locked in a classic back-nine battle in a tournament, McIlroy has been but a gnat to Tiger throughout the season.

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