McIlroy recovers to win Match Play opener
Rory McIlroy left it late to ensure that his WGC-Dell Match Play title defence began on a winning note.
The world number two was two holes down with five holes to play against Thorbjorn Olesen, but made the most of a few late slip ups from the Dane to win 1-up.
Jordan Spieth and Jason Day were also winners at the Austin Country Club on Wednesday, although Day's victory came at a cost, with the Australian appearing to injure his back.
The world number three managed to hold on for a 3&2 win over Graeme McDowell despite tweaking his back while hitting his tee shot at the 16th. Luckily for Day, he only needed to halve the 16th to win the match and was able to do so. It remains to be seen if he will be able to play on Thursday.
Spieth had a more straightforward time of it, as he defeated Jamie Donaldson 3&2. The world number one claimed the opening hole and didn't look back from there.
There were a few surprises in Austin though, with fifth seed Rickie Fowler beaten 2&1 by Jason Dufner, while Thomas Pieters birdied two of his last three holes to halve his match with Adam Scott. Fourth seed Bubba Watson could only halve his match with Patton Kizzire, and eighth seed Dustin Johnson was beaten 3&2 by Robert Streb.
Latest
-
NewsCollin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
NewsR&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
NewsUS PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
NewsJustin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
NewsPGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.
-
News‘It’s inexcusable’ – Justin Thomas apologises for homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three was heard using the derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt.
-
NewsWestwood, McDowell back petition to allow English golf courses to open
The duo have added their names to a petition that has passed 100 000 signatures.
-
NewsXander Schauffele pledges to ‘fake it until I make it’ after contracting Covid
Schauffele is one of 16 players in the Sentry Tournament of Champions who failed to win an official event last season.
-
NewsAfter years with TaylorMade, Jon Rahm joins Callaway
Spaniard will have Callaway woods and irons in his bag at Sentry Tournament of Champions.
-
NewsWhat to expect from the 2021 OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic
There are more prestigious events on the European Tour, but there’s no denying that the Dubai Desert Classic just has something about it.