Rory McIlroy believes that his game is showing signs of improvement following a back-nine fightback at the Houston Open.
The 23-year-old signed for a 73 at Redstone GC, but carded four birdies on the back nine having been three down by the eighth.
However, two more dropped shots saw him end the day on one over par.
The Northern Irishman said that he needs more competitive rounds under his belt in order to iron out the flaws in his swing ahead of the Masters.
"I felt like on the front nine I was a little tentative," McIlroy told reporters. "I just tried to commit to myself a little more on the back nine and seemed to help.
"It was a tricky day, and if I could have got it back to even par, I would have been pretty happy. Hopefully the conditions are a little calmer tomorrow morning and go throughout and make some more birdies.
"I've been hitting the ball great in practice. Obviously practice and going out here and in competitive rounds is a little bit different. I think I just need rounds just to get a bit more comfortable with what I'm doing, but it's feeling pretty good."
DA Points leads the way on eight under par.
Michael Penkman
