NORTHERN IRISHMAN RORY McIlroy has targeted two major titles in 2014 as he looks to respond to a disappointing year.

Using new clubs as part of a sponsorship arrangement with Nike, McIlroy slid down the rankings in 2013, losing his spot on top of the pile and finishing the year in sixth.

McIlroy only won one tournament in 2013, edging Adam Scott in December’s Australia Open, but says that victory has given him confidence as enters a new year.

And in a bid to make up for 2013, the 24-year-old — who has already won the US Open and the PGA Championship in his career — is aiming for a big 12 months.

“I feel like I am very close — I’m confident with my game and confident where it’s going,” McIlroy said.

“I won a major in 2011 and 2012 but not in 2013, so I’ll try to make up for that with two this year.

“I feel that my game is really coming back, going down to Australia and winning. Beating Adam Scott down there was really nice and while it doesn’t make up for the other weeks during the year, it gives me some momentum for 2014.

“I didn’t really have a chance to win any of the majors last year — I just didn’t get into contention.

“I’m so much better down the stretch and I’m so much better under pressure than I used to be, so if I give myself a chance in these tournaments I know I’ll have a great opportunity to win.

“I didn’t have the greatest of seasons in 2013 but I feel like I’ll definitely make up for that in 2014.”

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