Rory McIlroy feeling better about new putter and about 2nd start to season at Match Play

MARANA, Ariz. – Rory McIlroy has a new putter and made a small change to his new driver. He has no way of knowing whether that will mean his second start to the season will last longer than his first tournament.

McIlroy made a big splash in Abu Dhabi last month with a laser show to official announce a new equipment deal with Nike. He missed the cut that week.

The world's No. 1 player is the top seed at the Match Play Championship. He says he is swinging better after 10 days in Florida with coach Michael Bannon. McIlroy has played only two competitive rounds in the last three months, though he says he will have a full schedule before getting to the Masters.