Rory McIlroy shot his lowest score all season, a seven-under par 65, and declaring a ‘significant increase’ in his game at the conclusion of the WGC – Cadillac Championship.

The World No. 1 leap-frogged 21 places to a then share of ninth at eight under par as Tiger Woods and the chasing pack neared the turn on Trump Doral.

Rory McIlroy on route to shooting his best score five months on the final day of the WGC – Cadillac Championship. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

And despite a welcome return to form McIlroy indicated he will stick to his original schedule and that means ruling out contesting next fortnight’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando.

McIlroy was asked after his round how he would compare his last round compared to a week ago when he walked out of the defence of his Honda Classic title.

“There’s been a significant improvement,” he said.

“I praticed hard last weekend and I’ve practiced hard all week, basically.  I found soemthing and I am a lot more comfortable with what I am doing and that’s nice that the scores out there reflec that.

“I guess I found a bit of playability with my swing.  Even still working on the right things, it felt very strange to me at the start but it’s got more and more comfortable as the weeks have come.”

And given McIlroy’s welcome return to form he was asked whether he would now consider adding next fortnight’s Arnold Palmer Invitational to his schedule ahead of contesting the following week’s Shell Houston Open before heading the Augusta.

“No, I won’t add any tournaments and I will just play Houston and then the Masters,” he said.

“So, I will stick to my original schedule.”