The Northern Irish golfer made a winning start to the PGA Tour season as he beat Shane Lowry by two shots at the event and was pleased with his sharpness in his first significant tournament of the year.

Asked how close he felt to being in peak form, McIlroy told Sky Sports: "Yeah I'm close, I'm pretty close. I feel like I controlled my ball flight well in the crosswinds this week I drove the ball really well.

"I think I'll always nitpick and there's always things about my game that I want to try to get better, because that's just who I am. I'm trying to get the most out of myself all the time, but I also have to accept at the same time where my game's at right now.

"It is in a really good shape and probably as sharp as it's ever been at the end of January, start of February, heading into the season. So really, really happy with where everything is."

The world number three has been focusing on cutting out mistakes in his game as he seeks more success in what could be a career-defining year.

McIlroy said: "I've talked a lot about this year trying to limit the mistakes and trying to keep the big numbers and the destructive swings off the scorecard.

"For the most part this week, I did that. The game can start to become pretty simple and feel pretty easy when you're not making bogeys.

"I know I'm going to hit enough good golf shots to give myself plenty of birdie opportunities, it's just a matter of, getting that odd up and down to keep the round and the momentum of the round going. I did that really well this week."