KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – On Tuesday, Rory McIlroy was asked to reflect on the importance of his win in the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course. Justin Thomas stood at the back of the press area as McIlroy answered.

McIlroy couldn’t resist the opportunity to take aim at his friend.

“It was huge. A lot of guys have won one major, but it's a big hurdle to get to the second. It was good to get that monkey off my back, especially here, playing so well,” McIlroy said with a grin. “It was a big deal. I definitely didn't want to be stuck on one for a long time, so happy to get that second.”

Thomas, of course, is still seeking a second major to add to his 2017 PGA title. The two shared a laugh and a hug after McIlroy's barb.

In Tuesday's pre-tournament press conference for the PGA Championship, McIlroy was a stark contrast to the dejected figure who stood on a press dais at THE PLAYERS Championship in March or the one who declined to speak to media after missing the cut at the Masters in April. He shot 79-75 at TPC Sawgrass and 76-74 at the Masters. It was a pair of troubling performances.

That McIlroy admitted to feeling lost amidst swing issues and a crisis of confidence. This McIlroy was all smiles and cautiously optimistic after winning the Wells Fargo Championship two weeks ago to burst out of his funk.

While the swing changes he’s implementing with coach Pete Cowen are still working their way into his game, McIlroy now returns to the site of his dominant eight-shot win all those years ago with his mind in a better place and his game setting up nicely.

“I've always said when you're in the thick of it, it always seems further away than it is. I went into the Masters searching and feeling like I was somewhat on the right track but still hadn't seen any progress on the golf course. I had seen some progress off it and on the range, but then trying to get it on to the course, I was in that transition period,” McIlroy said.

“I'm happy with where my game is, so if I go out and play my game and do what I know that I can do, then I can see myself shooting good scores on this golf course. I've just got to go out there, play my game, and if I play my game somewhat close to the best of my ability, I'm sure I'll have a good chance.”

For McIlroy, winning the Wells Fargo was important, but continuing his improvement is the main focus. While he recognizes a return to Kiawah presents a great opportunity, he remains focused on his long-term goals of consistency in his new swing.

“Quail was awesome, it was great to get a win, but I'm thinking way beyond that, and it’s funny, when you sort of think that way, something like that just sort of happens to fall into your lap. It's almost like the less you try, the more things sort of go your way,” McIlroy said.

“It was a great start. It was a great validation that I'm working on the right things, but it was just a step in the process. It was wonderful to get the win, but even if I had come away from Quail without winning, I think I still would have been very encouraged with the sort of golf that I played.”

The Northern Irishman said the clutch shots he hit on the 16th and 17th holes at Quail Hollow, and his ability to get up and down on 18 after driving it into a penalty area, would be huge at Kiawah Island this week as he chases a 20th PGA TOUR win and fifth major.

“The big thing that I was really encouraged with at Quail Hollow is it's my first time really getting myself into contention in a while, and to have those thoughts and movements sort of hold up under that pressure, trying to win a golf tournament, coming down some really tough holes, that's what I was really pleased with,” he said.

“To hit the shots exactly the way I wanted to and play those holes very well with a lead, that's something that I haven't been able to do probably over the last 18 months. I was very encouraged with that.”