McIlroy not worried by new clubs

Last updated: 22nd February 2013

Reflecting on his defeat to Shane Lowry in the first round of the World Match Play Championship, Rory McIlroy insists he only has himself to blame and not his equipment.

The world number one only managed four birdies on the Dove Mountain course, a number matched by Lowry who also bagged an eagle.

McIlroy led the contest for the opening holes, with Lowry drawing even at the 7th and the duo remained tied through 11 holes.

However, it was here that Lowry upped the ante with chip-ins at 11 and 12 and an eagle at the 13th, a pace that McIlroy couldn't keep up with.

"I didn't make enough birdies in the end," admitted the 23-year-old.

"Shane had a nice little stretch around part of the back nine. I hung in there, but I just didn't do enough."

It's the second failure that McIlroy has endured since switching to Nike equipment, having missed the cut in his only other Tour event this year. Despite this, McIlory is not blaming his tools for his slow start to 2013.

"I've just been missing a lot of them right.... I think it's more a timing thing than anything else," he said.

"I felt like I drew the ball really well," he added. "I hit the ball well off the tee. I just need to take advantage of the driving I've been doing."