Players Championship: McIlroy lacks confidence – McGinley

Rory McIlroy played in the Europe team led by Paul McGinley at the 2014 Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy's confidence was affected after he failed to turn winning positions into victories, said former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.

McGinley has seen McIlroy appear since early 2018 in nine final groups on Sunday without winning.

"He has won major tournaments in the past, but he has lost confidence when it comes to the last day," he said.

"Golf is about winning and there is no doubt that it has a problem on Sunday, and it is growing."

McIlroy failed to defend his Arnold Palmer Invitational title last weekend when he was in the final round in the final group and shot behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick, but he shot a slot 72 to finish eighth.

The four-fold big winner from Northern Ireland has at least finished in the top six of his events so far in 2019, before this week's Players Championship in Sawgrass.

Rory McIlroy plays a chipshot during a practice round at Sawgrass on Wednesday

"I love seeing him play as consistently as he has, because that is something that has been missed in his career," added Ier McGinley

"One of the things that has been great to watch with Rory over the years is that when he gets hot he gets very hot, and he generally wins.

" That is not the trend for the last few years and many questions are asked.

"Many people, as we are now, wonder why he doesn't do it on Sunday.

" Rory – more than anyone I know in the game – is an inspiring player and if he gets inspired, he is great. But he doesn't have that inspiration on a Sunday. "