Rory McIlroy steps to the tee at 12:45 p.m. ET Thursday at The Honda Classic, making his first PGA Tour start of 2015 on a familiar course.
McIlroy won at PGA National in 2013, and lost in a four-man playoff to Russell Henley last year. This year, he feels rested and excited to get back out on the course.
MORE: Tee times for Honda Classic | Jason Dufner, thinner and healthy
"This has the feel of a hometown event for me," McIlroy said Wednesday. "The tournament has been here for a few years now, and I'm comfortable out there.
"I feel rested right now. It'll be nice to get a scorecard in my hand and compete again."
McIlroy tees off at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., with Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka.
McIlroy regained his place as the No. 1 golfer last year after winning three consecutive events, including the British Open, unseating Adam Scott. He has been recognized as the "new face of golf" but isn't ready to call himself that yet.
"Golf is in a good place right now," he said. "There are a number of young, talented golfers, so I don't feel any internal pressure on being the face of golf. Golf is just fine.
"I would like to be the guy who steps up and wins big tournaments. … I think golf has been waiting for that guy."
McIlroy hasn't played in a tournament since his European Tour win in Dubai nearly a month ago, but he feels good about his schedule so far.
"You have to make sure you don't get burned out," he said. "Every golfer needs natural rest periods, and I'm happy with my schedule heading into Augusta."
With all of the success McIlroy has had, it can be hard to cope with all the external pressures. McIlroy has a solution to that, too.
"I keep myself motivated," he said. "I have goals I've set for myself, and sometimes those change. It's all about constantly getting better."