McIlroy, who turned 36 on Sunday, skipped the RBC Heritage tournament following the Masters while he returned home to Northern Ireland to visit his parents.

Since then, McIlroy has returned to action alongside Shane Lowry for the defence of their Zurich Classic of New Orleans title, where they finished tied 12th.

Having opted against playing the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas, where world number one Scottie Scheffler cantered to an eight-shot victory, McIlroy fulfilled more media obligations last week, appearing in the US on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Today Show.

“It’s not even the celebrating, it’s the obligations you have afterwards,” McIlroy said.

“I wanted to go home and see my folks after [the Masters] but having to play in New Orleans, it’s a different week and a fun week so I didn’t feel like I had to prepare all that much, I could lean on Shane when I needed to.

“But last week, I had Michael Bannon [his swing coach] in town, we practised for three days but then I was up in New York for three days doing a few bits and pieces.

“When I got back home and back into my real routine on Sunday/Monday and coming up here, it feels like that period is behind me and I’m looking forward to the next few months.”