Paul Casey said Nike's golf equipment could not be blamed for the lackluster performances from Rory McIlroy this season.

Casey, who won the Irish Open last week, said McIlroy merely needed to try and adapt to the new clubs, which he felt could happen sooner rather than later.

McIlroy has struggled for form since joining the Nike stable at the start of 2013, with the change of clubs and ball blamed in many quarters for his inability to contend for tournament victories.

The Northern Irishman is visiting Nike on Thursday where he will attempt to find a driver setup that suits him - but Casey, also a Nike athlete, is adamant the clubs themselves are not the problem.

"I must admit, I've not had a Nike question in a while," said Casey, who has played the brand for a

"Whatever I say could be quite delicate. I have the fullest confidence in Rory and I think I would agree with what I've been reading, which is that Rory is kind of a streaky player, but I have 100 per cent confidence in Rory being back in the winner's circle very, very soon," said Casey.

Casey, who has regular interaction with McIlroy, said he was perturbed by the constant negative press directed towards Nike golf.

"I talk to Rory on the range but I don't know what he's working on or what he's been struggling with equipment-wise. We have so many different specs. He's using a different golf ball to me, a different shaft, a different head. It's so many variables.

"But it really frustrates me when I read negative press about Nike and their equipment. They are a legitimate golf brand, legitimate golf company, and people don't necessarily see what I see behind the scenes with the R&D (research and development) and the personnel that are making fantastic golf products," explained Casey.

"It's right up there; I would put three or four other manufacturers up there in the same ballpark. It is not inferior (equipment) in any way, and this is just something that he is just trying to get right. I have confidence that he will," added the Irish Open champion, who returned to the winners circle this week.

Golf 365