Rory McIlroy was delighted by his second round of 65 at the Australian Open which saw him close to within two shots of leader Adam Scott.
The two-time major champion admitted he had started to feel despondent during Thursday's opening round as he saw Scott disappearing into the distance on the back of a stunning course record 62 at the Royal Sydney Golf Club.
But, 24 hours later, it was McIlroy's turn to shine as he produced a joint best-of-the-day 65 to catapult himself into contention, making up five shots on the Australian.
"It would have been very easy for me to get frustrated yesterday, and I was a little frustrated, because I bogeyed 10 and 11 to go back to even par, and I'm thinking to myself, 'I'm 10 behind, not just 10 behind anyone, I'm 10 behind Scotty," McIlroy told reporters.
"When you see someone like that at the top of the leaderboard already with a low score, it's tough not to think about it. It's tough not to sort of press the issue... but golf tournaments are long and there's lots of time to chip away."
"You saw me in 2010 (at The Open), it can evaporate very quickly," added the Northern Irishman, referencing the 2010 Open Championship where he opened with a course record 63 at St Andrews, only to follow it with an 80.
Back on song
For weeks McIlroy has been talking positively of his game and now believes he is very close the kind of form which saw him win no fewer than five times last season.
"I'm hitting the ball well off the tee and giving myself plenty of chances. It was good to see a few putts go in today," he continued. "As I've said for the last few weeks, the game is feeling much better and I'm much more comfortable now.
Rory McIlroy is pleased the form he has shown in the first two rounds at the Australian Open and hopes it can continue.
"It's the end of the season and I want to finish the season off well. It's a big tournament for me so, in terms of satisfaction, going out there and shooting a good score and putting myself in position for the weekend, yeah, I'm very happy.
"After not making the Tour Championship in the States, it was all about trying to build momentum for 2014 and that's what I feel I've started here.
"I think (my game) is just about in the same shape (as when he won his two majors)... it's all mental.
"When you get a run of events where you play well, your mindset going into tournaments is going under par, winning, getting onto the top of the leaderboard as soon as possible, and when you're not playing well, it's a bit different... if you're not playing well it's a bit different, you're hoping to do well, but not really expecting to."
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