Rory McIlroy: Just one top-three finish this seasonRory McIlroy is determined to finish a disappointing season with a flourish as he prepares for the defence of his Deutsche Bank Championship title.The 24-year-old carded a pair of 67s over the weekend at TPC Boston last year to pip Louis Oosthuizen by a shot, and he then clinched the BMW Championship title six days later.
But he has yet to record a victory this season and is currently languishing at 36th in the FexExCup standings, and missing the cut in Boston could eliminate him from the final two events of the play-offs.
"These next few events are a good opportunity to get something good out of the season," said McIlroy, who has slipped from first to fourth in the world rankings.
2013 Deutsche Bank Championship: Day OneAugust 30, 2013 10:00pm
The two-time major champion has at least shown an improvement in form over the last two months, finishing eighth at the PGA Championship and 19th at The Barclays last week, including a second round of 65.
"It feels much better," McIlroy said when asked to compare his game now to two months ago.
"I've got the ball under control. I'm not as comfortable with my game as I was this time last year, but I'm in enough control that if I get on a nice run I can do well these next few events."
World No 1 and FedEx Cup leader Tiger Woods is set to compete in Boston despite the back injury which literally brought him to his knees in the final round last week.
Woods pulled out of a charity event organised by friend and former Stanford team-mate Notah Begay on Wednesday but was fit enough to take his place in the pre-tournament pro-am.
Ian Poulter needs a strong week in Boston to remain in the play-offs as he is currently 77th in the standings with only the top 70 advancing to the BMW Championship in Chicago.
The top 30 after that event will then play for the FedEx Cup and the $10m bonus in the Tour Championship in Atlanta the following week.
Just 28 players in this week's 100-strong field have already secured a place in the BMW Championship, leaving 42 places up for grabs.
Tiger Woods has declared he is fit for the Deutsche Bank Championship after coming through the pro-am unscathed.
Stats and best bets for the second FedEx Cup play-off event - the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Win a world-class golf break to The Scottish Highlands.
Stats and best bets for the second FedEx Cup play-off event - the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Stats and best bets for this week's European Tour event - the ISPS Handa Wales Open at Celtic Manor.
