Rory McIlroy responds when asked how close he is to playing the best golf he ever has after winning at Pebble Beach

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Rory McIlroy is a PGA Tour champion once more, having just emerged victorious at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Tiger Woods won the 2000 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in stunning fashion, with McIlroy now the latest icon to add his name to the history books.

McIlroy remains determined to succeed on the PGA Tour this year, having just triumphed on his season debut.

The four-time major winner started his season with a T4 finish at the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour, with LIV Golf’s Tyrrell Hatton coming out on top.

But McIlroy has now followed in his footsteps with his latest trophy, with his 21-under win representing his first at Pebble Beach.

Rory McIlroy ‘pretty close’ to playing his best ever golf after Pebble Beach win

His last major trophy arrived back in 2014, but McIlroy is feeling confident about his game after winning his 27th PGA Tour title.

Asked on Sky Sports Golf how close he thinks he is to playing his best golf after his AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am win, McIlroy replied: “I am close.

READ MORE: What was noticed about Rory McIlroy as he walked down the final hole at Pebble Beach which was totally different

“I am pretty close. I feel like I controlled my ball flight well in the cross winds this week. I drove the ball really well.

“I think I will always nitpick and there are things in my game that I am trying to get better, because that is who I am and I am trying to get the most out of myself all the time but I have to also accept at the same time that where my game is at right now, it is in a really good shape and probably as sharp as it has ever been at the start of February heading into the season so I am really happy with where everything is.”

Rory McIlroy among Europeans shining on PGA Tour after Americans dominate 2024

McIlroy is rightfully happy with where his game currently is, having taken up from where he left off in 2024.

The Northern Irishman won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November, recovering from several near misses earlier in the year.

READ MORE: Dame Laura Davies predicts whether Rory McIlroy will win the Masters this year after his triumph at Pebble Beach

But he did only manage two wins on the PGA Tour in 2024, which was undoubtedly disappointing given his very high standards over the years.

Moreover, Scottie Scheffler picked up seven wins, with the world number one and Xander Schauffele having outshone McIlroy at the major championships.

It was certainly a dominant year for Americans, with Scheffler winning the Masters, Schauffele winning the PGA Championship and The Open Championship, and Bryson DeChambeau winning the US Open.

But in a Ryder Cup year, McIlroy has helped the Europeans make a strong start to the season, with Shane Lowry having finished second at Pebble Beach and Justin Rose having tied for third.