RORY McILROY will look to piece his game back together along with his broken clubs.
An impressive last round of 67 was his best of the week as the erratic world No4 prepares to mark the second anniversary of his last Major victory.
The psychological boost should help offset the embarrassment of smashing up his three wood 24 hours earlier in frustration at seeing another big trophy pass him by.
McIlroy, 27, has been treading water and battling injuries since lifting the USPGA title in 2014.
That event will be his next port of call in a fortnight and the Northern Irishman said: Its definitely heading in the right direction.
Bar the missed cut at the US Open, my results have been decent the last few times.
A win at the Irish Open, fourth at Memorial, I had the missed cut but then third in France and top five here.
Good things are happening. If I can drive the ball like I did this week at Baltusrol and sharpen up a few bits and pieces, I think Ill be right there.
McIlroys tied-fifth finish at Troon was just a place below his Masters effort last year. He then ruptured ankle ligaments playing football and was unable to defend his Open title at St Andrews.
And he was out of luck at Troon as he was handed the toughest half of the draw with regard to the weather.
Mother Nature seemed to turn when he stepped on the first tee yet he still managed six birdies yesterday while failing to tame the testing back nine.
McIlroy is now as fit as ever to help maintain his physical and mental focus.
But it has sparked criticism that he is more concerned with pumping iron than honing his golfing technique. US TV pundit and 1976 Open champion Johnny Miller said: I think he overdid the weight room, I dont think that helped him at all.
It was the same thing with Tiger Woods. You just get carried away with wearing the tight shirts and showing off the muscles.
McIlroy admitted it will take time for his self-confidence to be tip-top, even if he can boast a perfect pair of pecs.
He said: Ive missed a few short putts this week but Im not really putting that down to anything.
I think I just need to do a little bit of work and maybe just be a bit more confident.
But tee to green was good and I can only be positive going into the USPGA.
Im playing well, Im driving the ball great.
I feel like with the conditions that I faced this week I played pretty good.
There were a few mistakes in there and if I could take back anything it would probably be the first nine holes yesterday.
I didnt get off to the greatest of starts.
But with what I had to play in, theres no way I would have got the scores that those leading guys are on. So I feel like Ive done pretty well this week considering everything.
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