Rory McIlroy is well aware his first North American golf tournament was a disaster. So he began play Thursday with a new sense of purpose.
The World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship is under way at Doral, the Donald Trump course in Miami. Its field is 50 of the world's best players according to rankings.
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McIlroy, who is No. 1 in world rankings, addressed his Honda Classic failings ahead of this week's play. Failings? His rounds of 73 and 74, resulting in missing the cut, was terrible and a learning experience.
"Sometimes you need a little kick in the backside to make you realize what you need to do," McIlroy said. "I was disappointed but I feel it has given me clarity on what I needed."
Clarity is important, because McIlroy is taking dead aim at a golf career grand slam. He needs only a victory at the Masters to complete the milestone.
So it's well and good he has a positive mindset for this week and beyond.
"I could have approached it two ways," McIlroy said. "I could have got really down on myself and wondered where that had come from, or thought, 'This was the first event after a three-week break and there were things that needed to be sharper'.
"It was my mum's birthday on the Friday night so we went out for a nice dinner and then got back to work on Saturday."
This week also should beneficial because McIlroy plays the first two days with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and world No. 3 Henrik Stenson.
At 25, McIlroy isn't riding youth as an excuse. He is grounded and steady, telling media members on Wednesday he is not overwhelmed.
"I'm really just focused on the next couple of events that I'm playing and try and play well there and then after that all I'll be working on is getting ready for Augusta," he said.
"There's always excitement and anticipation and hype that surrounds Augusta every year and I feel it regardless if I'm going in as the favorite or under the radar or whatever," McIlroy said. "My name is getting thrown around a little bit more than it used to but I'm OK with that."
Playing well is a start, but observes will expect more from McIlroy at Doral. He seems ready to handle it. The proof will come after a solid 72 holes, whether he wins or not.