Strength and stability propelling Rory down fairways

Fitter, stronger, and longer off the tee, it has taken more than just the right equipment and the harnessing of his immense natural talent for Rory McIlroy to re-scale the heights of world golf.

The three-time major winner returned to the world number one spot in the official rankings on Sunday for the first time since early 2013 following a victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club that provided a McIlroy masterclass in driving power and distance.

Others on tour can drive it longer than the Irishman but nobody could match him for consistency off the tee at Firestone last week, McIlroy hitting 46 of 56 tee shots, 82.1%, more than 300 yards, according to the PGA Tour statistics.