Rory McIlroy 'signs $100m Taylor Made deal', admits trying to lose weight after wedding

The 28-year-old previously had a contract with Nike before it announced late last year that it was pulling out of that market and so has signed a new 10-year deal.

The news comes ahead of The Players' Championship in Sawgrass this week, and after a busy time off the course for the Northern Irishman where he wed American Erica Stoll in an Irish castle and soak up the sun on a Caribbean honeymoon.

"The last few weeks have been really cool. Obviously got married and went on honeymoon and enjoyed that," McIlroy said.

The world number two, who signed a long-term extension to his Nike apparel contract in April, said he decided to switch to TaylorMade's clubs and balls starting this week after feeling a lack of control with his shots in windy conditions.

"So I sort of went back to the drawing board and tested for about 10 days pretty extensively after Augusta, worked with a lot of different things," he said.

"Saw stuff with the golf ball, that new TP5x ball that they have, and I thought, wow, this is what I need, this is exactly the thing that I've been struggling with.

"Then over the course of the next few days, I tested different combinations (of clubs), a lot of different stuff, and I came to the conclusion that that was the best way forward for me to try and improve, try and win more, try to get back to world number one, try to win more majors."

McIlroy said he felt like he was starting "a new chapter in my life ... but I really feel with the new equipment, as well, it's hopefully going to take me to that next level."

The four-times major winner did not think his intensity and focus on the golf course would change now that he is a married man, but thought marriage could be beneficial off the course.

"It might help me get over tough losses a little bit easier," said McIlroy.

"I'm in a great place in my life and I feel very settled and very lucky to be in this position. Now it's just about trying to make the most of, I guess, the fortune that I've had."