It's been a tough and challenging 2013 for Rory McIlroy after much publicized struggles with his game.

But yesterday, the two-time Major winner won his first tournament of the year at the Australian Open by beating Adam Scott despite starting the final round four shots behind the Masters winner.

Irish Independent golf correspondent Karl McGinty believes McIlroy could have a very successful 2014 now that some of his issues have been overcome.

"It's a fantastic turnaround for the guy. He's got a remarkably strong psyche. Despite all that's happened this year, he's managed to put it all behind him. He did lose confidence and I think that's what he struggled to put together over the last couple of months," said McGinty.

"He and Michael Bannon have worked hard to get his swing in order and he's absolutely striking it perfectly in recent weeks. All that was missing was the little bit of the X Factor. Now he has it, everything's out of his way for next year. 

"He definitely seems much happier in himself. If you look at what he's done this year, clearly he took some time off during the winter which was understandable for a guy who had won so much in 2012. But last winter was probably the winter when he needed to work harder than ever. He was a little unprepared for the season and went into a spiral."

McGinty believes that McIlroy has also put some off-the-course legal and personal woes out of mind which has benefited his game.

He also feels that sorting out his driver has also boosted his performances.