Free from fighting fires on the tour and chasing down major landmarks, Rory McIlroy’s PGA Tour win in New Orleans can get him back on track.
McIlroy broke into song with Shane Lowry after winning the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana on Sunday night - that choice of song was pretty fitting. Journey’s Don't Stop Believin’ has become a go-to tune for many on a Karaoke night out, while sports teams have also adapting the 1980 classic.
For McIlroy it could be seen a symbolic, it’s 10 years since a major win, the elusive green jacket and the Masters remains out of touch - he believes he will do both, you would not back against it.
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However, over the last couple of years the burden of professional golf has weighed heavy on the world no 2. McIlroy has found himself at the centre of the sport's civil war over the past two years, staunchly pledging his loyalties to the PGA Tour and against the LIV Golf setup.
However the off-course politics may well have distracted the Northern Irishman from what really matters though - winning golf tournaments. It feels as like McIlroy can not say one comment or hit one shot without being over analysed, so the more relaxed nature of the Zurich Classic proved to perfect spot and in Lowry, the perfect partner.
Rather than two competitors battling it out at the top of the golfing pyramid, McIlroy and Lowry looked like a pair of pals enjoying a round at their local club, the difference being this pair are two of the best players on the planet.
Not only is the former Open champion one of the world's best, but he is one of McIlroy's closest friends too, and this was clear to see on the course. As well as enjoying themselves with a laugh or two, the pair know each other's games incredibly well having shared a relationship spanning 25-years.
Forming the perfect partnership, it felt like when one began to struggle the other came in, a recipe for success in both the better ball and alternate shot format, and this was rewarded on Sunday. As relaxed as ever McIlroy and Lowry shared a beer before taking to the stage for their Journey cover, a rare spell of utopia for the four-time major champion, on the back of a two-year period that has no doubt taken its toll.
Having got himself to win No. 25 on the PGA Tour in the least stressful way possible, it could well be the catalyst McIlroy needed to get back to his best. Despite the Masters already ticked off in the calendar, this is as good a timing as any to make that move with three-quarters of the major season left to play.
Adding a second title of the year will be an achievement he will have been more than pleased to cross off the to-do list,after victory at the Dubai Desert Classic earlier in the year. But the one McIlroy is really looking for is win No. 5 on the major stage.
Luckily for him next month's PGA Championship is right around the corner, and with the event taking place at the home of the McIlroy's last major triumph in Valhalla, what better chance to end his 10-year drought than in just over two weeks' time.
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