McIlroy believes Irish Open triumph will spark season

When Rory McIlroy reflects on his tournament season, the jump point could very well be his final three holes at the Irish Open.

Over the course of the past 12 months, the 27-year-old had recorded just one win - in November - while Jordan Spieth and Jason Day shared in status as world No. 1. McIlroy earned his first win this season with a supreme run down the stretch at The K Club, playing the final three holes at 3-under.

It's a winning performance he believes will kick-start his year.

"I kept telling everyone, including myself, that my game was close," McIlroy said, according to ESPN. "It was there, but I just needed something to click. The way I played the last three holes .. it was the turning point in the tournament, but it could also be the turning point in my season.

"You just need something like that to click, and I feel like you're off and running."

McIlroy admitted that after hitting a majestic 250-yard approach shot to two feet on 18 - a shot that ensured he'd tap in for his first win at the event he hosts and hold off a charging Russell Knox - he couldn't help but get a little caught up in the moment.

"I don't usually get emotional winning tournaments," McIlroy said. "I'm obviously over the moon and very happy, but I had to hold back the tears there on the 18th green. And even I started to choke up a little bit walking off the green."

Can you blame him? If McIlroy believes with conviction that all he needed was a win, then he has to be licking his chops as he enters the heart of the PGA Tour season.

McIlroy will tee it up in two weeks time at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield.