Rory McIlroy admitted that he is focused on playing more ‘boring golf’ after his triumph at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Making his first start in America this season, McIlroy claimed his 27th PGA Tour title with an impressive two-shot victory at the iconic Pebble Beach course. The World No.3 started the day one behind Ryder Cup teammate Sepp Straka but pulled clear of the field with a commanding back-nine display on Sunday.

Birdies at 10 and 12 were followed up by a superb eagle at the par-5 14th to put him in the driving seat, with McIlroy eventually signing off with a final-round 66 to win on 21 under par. Sunday’s performance represented a statement win for the 35-year-old in a field that boasted seven of the world’s top ten and an overall purse of $20million (£16.2m). It also proved a resounding endorsement for the Northern Irishman’s more discplined approach having fallen short last year in some of the sport’s biggest tournaments.

‘The one that I’ll come back to is the U.S. Open because it’s the one that hurt the most,’ reflected McIlroy after his win on Sunday. ‘Again, thinking of strategy and maybe those impulses that I talked about, hitting the right shot at the right time or being in a different place mentally, calming yourself down, using breathing exercises, whatever it is, I think the one thing that I did today really well is I didn’t get too flustered and it may – it certainly feels a little more boring to me.

‘It might look a little bit more boring on the golf course, but it’s definitely more effective. ‘That’s something that I’m consciously trying to do a little bit better of a job at. Today was a good test and I was able to come through it pretty well.’. McIlroy’s win moves him within touching distance of World No.2 Xander Schauffele who was absent this week due to an ongoing rib injury. And the four-time major champion now has his sights set on overtaking Schauffele, as well as World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, this season.

‘I know if I can play to my capabilities and do what I did out there today a little bit more, the world rankings or the wins or whatever will really take care of themselves,’ McIlroy added. ‘Scottie is and has been the best player in our game for the last couple years. ‘I feel like I’ve been close but just not quite there. But that’s motivating, that’s motivating to try to get the best out of myself and try to become the best player in the world again.’.

McIlroy is set to miss next week’s Phoenix Open but will return the week after for the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Arrow MORE: Tom McKibbin ignores Rory McIlroy warning and completes LIV Golf switch. Arrow MORE: Golf fan wins $100,000 after making hole-in-one over Bryson DeChambeau’s house.