Rory McIlroy has been told that his iron play is a 'real problem' as he attempts to win The Players Championship for a second time.
Sky Sports' Tim Barter has given an honest assessment of the 34-year-old who is aiming for a major improvement in Florida this week.
McIlroy was in contention at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last weekend but fell away considerably with a poor final round.
The Northern Irishman carded a +4 76 as he ended up finishing tied 21st, 16 shots off world No 1 and winner Scottie Scheffler.
Rory McIlroy has been told he has a 'real problem' at The Players Championship
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Barter believes some aspects of McIlroy's game are better than they have ever been.
But he says that his approach play has suffered a serious decline in recent months and could trouble him at TPC Sawgrass.
Barter said: "The iron play has been the issue. He is driving the ball absolutely beautifully and is probably the more confident with the driver than he has ever been.
"He has found a feeling that from the top of the backswing, he lets his arms fall before he feels the unwind kick in.
"With the driver it is fantastic but when he tries it with the iron, the club gets a bit more behind him.
"It has been a real problem. He has gone from sixth in approach play last year to 150th this year."
Scheffler was in supreme form at Bay Hill last week and Barter says not many can beat him on his top form.
He said: "This guy's ball striking for the last 18 months has been absolutely imperious, Tiger Woods-like.
"The stats are unbelievable so he is the best ball striker in the world and he doesn't seem to have bad weeks.
"Last week, he started to putt a lot better and if Scheffler putts properly, he is hard to beat if the ball striking continues."
McIlroy hasn't won a major in 10 years as he steps up his preparation for the Masters.
He believes his rut will eventually come to an end if he continues to put in the hard yards.
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Rory McIlroy is aiming for his second win at The Players Championship
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McIlroy said: "I'm under no illusion that the clock is ticking.
"It has been 10 years since I've won one of them, and I've had chances and those just haven't gone my way.
"I just need to keep putting myself in those positions and sooner or later it's going to happen.
"Certain aspects of the game feel as good as ever and certain aspects need work.
Rory McIlroy needs to improve following his performance at Bay Hill last week
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"I'm driving the ball as well as I ever have and I really figured out my putting at Bay Hill last week.
"Off the tee and on the green is good, but it's getting from fairway to green that's been the problem and I've been working over the past couple of days to rectify things.
"It feels better on the driving range but taking that from the range to the course is the big thing.
"If I can start to see some iron shots starting on line then I think I could have a really good week."
