Relieved McIlroy in ‘better place’ after breaking 2013 duck

Rory McIlroy heads to his final event of the year at the Tiger Woods-hosted World Challenge this week saying he is in a “better place” mentally after winning his first tournament of 2013.

The Co Down man overhauled crowd favourite and reigning US Masters champion Adam Scott with a final round 66 to win the Australian Open on Sunday by a shot with an 18-under-par tally.

It was his first victory for more than 12 months and came at the expense of the popular Australian, who misjudged the wind and could only manage a bogey on the last hole at Royal Sydney.