Rory McIlroy admits he’s mentally drained in having to continually fend off questions from a frustrating season where he’s still yet to win a tournament in 2013.

McIlroy has two tournaments remaining to capture a first victory this year starting with this week’s Australian Open in Sydney and ending last week by competing in the Tiger Woods hosted World Challenge at Thousand Oaks in suburban L. A.

The current World No. 6 arrived in Sydney with a best finish this being runner-up in the Valero Texas Open and also finishing second in the recent Korean Open in Seoul.

McIlroy’s only taste of success this season was late last month defeating Woods head-to-head in the Match at Mission Hills at Hainan Island in China.

Youngsters gather around Rory McIlroy on the Royal Sydney practice range. (Photo – www.golfbyourmiss.com)

“I’m looking forward to a break after playing Tiger’s event next week as it’s been a long year mentally for me rather than physically,” said McIlroy.

“Physically, golf doesn’t take that much out of you but mentally it is quite draining and especially for me this year not just being frustrated with my game but having to answer all the questions and come up with reasons why I am not playing well and all that stuff.

“But then it’s great to be going into the off season feeling comfortable with my game and knowing that I am on the right track and knowing that I can start in the new season strongly.

“So I am excited about aspect and besides I still have two tournaments left this year and I would love to get a win and whether it is here or in Tiger’s event in L A.

“I would really love it to be here at Royal Sydney and the sooner the better.

Double Major winning Rory McIlroy mobbed by fans after hosting a clinic ahead of the Australian Open. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

“But then in saying that I wouldn’t mind if the season went on a little longer because I had four week’s off after the FedEx Cup Series ended so I could still play a few more weeks.

“However I am looking forward to Christmas and the New Year and getting ready to start the new season.”

McIlroy last played in Sydney when he contested the 2006 Australian Open as an amateur but failed to break 70 on any of the four days to finish well down the field behind Australia’s John Senden.

“I can remember most of the golf course but then I can’t remember much of how I played that week given it has been seven years,” he said.

“But it was just nice to get back out there today for the Pro Am as it’s great shape and hopefully after all the rain I hear they’ve had in Sydney it will dry out and play as the way Royal Sydney should play.

McIlroy wound up his preparations hosting a clinch for some 250 children from all over Australia and delighting the youngsters with an array of shots.

And after the enormous amount of scrutiny McIlroy faced at the start of the season following his multi-million dollar switch to Nike there was one question from a youngster that McIlroy answered without hesitation.

“Are you happy with your decision to switch to Nike?” said the young fan.

McIlroy responded:  “I am very happy with my change to Nike.  It’s been a great learning process this year getting to learn with Nike, and while it did take me a couple of months to get use to the new equipment, it’s been great and I could not be happier.”

McIlroy will play the opening two rounds with fellow US Open champion, Geoff Ogilvy and Sydney’s and fellow PGA Tour member, Matt Jones.