McIlroy falls 6 and 5 to Poulter on day one in Austin
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot on the fifth tee in his match against Ian Poulter of England during the first round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 24, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy faces a “seismic shift” in thinking under Pete Cowen as he digests his 6 and 5 drubbing by a clinical Ian Poulter in his first round-robin match at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Texas.
While his former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley reckons the massive change from Michael Bannon puts huge pressure on McIlroy and new coach Cowen, he believes they can get back to winning ways by keeping things simple.
Cowen has said privately that he’s not expecting a miraculous turnaround and it’s clear he has his work cut out after McIlroy struggled at Austin Country Club and was easy meat for matchplay warrior Poulter.
Three down after the fifth, where his drive caromed off a cart path into a neighbouring pool, McIlroy got back to one down with birdies at the sixth and eighth before Poulter put him under pressure and won five holes in a row from the ninth to seal a convincing win.
“I played well and obviously the score line's pretty flattering to be honest with you,” said Poulter, who was four-under to McIlroy’s two-over.
"But I kept Rory under pressure and I made it difficult for him. Yeah, he hit a couple of loose shots, but putting the ball in pretty tight and taking control of a match, I had to do that against Rory."
The 'Postman' was 42 yards behind McIlroy off the tee at the ninth but hit a glorious 178-yard approach to eight feet and made the putt to turn two-up.
He was then gifted the 10th when McIlroy screwed a 94-yard approach off the front of the green and then knocked his chip 10 feet past and missed the return putt.
He was soon five down with five to go when Poulter made a 17 footer for a two at the 11th, then fired a 264-yard approach to eight feet to set up an eagle at the 12th that McIlroy conceded after taking four shot to find the green.
The match ended at the driveable, 288-yard 13th, where McIlroy drove to the back of the green but watched in horror as his speedy chip ran down the green into Lake Austin.
McGinley believes the switch to Cowen is going to put both men under pressure to produce results and hopes the veteran coach keeps it simple for the inspirational Holywood star.
“There is a lot of pressure on both people going into this relationship,” McGinley said. “Pete’s got a big reputation as we know and Rory, we all know how good a talent he is. We are expecting it to ignite so that brings a lot of pressure to it.”
He added: “Rory needs to be inspired and it needs to be simple and he needs clarity and that’s the big key. Pete knows him very well and hopefully that is what he’s going to bring to the equation, not masses and masses of instruction.
McIlroy plays Lanto Griffin today with both men seeking their first wins after the American lost the last three holes to go down by one hole to Australian Cameron Smith.
It was also a disappointing day for Shane Lowry, who fell 4&2 to Texan Ryan Palmer, who made seven birdies (including three in their last five holes) to just three for the Offaly man.
At the European Tour’s Kenya Savannah Classic, Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell fired a three-under 68 to lie just four strokes behind South Africa’s Daniel Van Tonder at halfway.
He made an eagle and two birdies before dropping his only shot of the day at the 18th to lie joint 12th on nine-under at Karen Country Club
“My game feels pretty decent and all I need to do is to keep trusting what I am doing and there’s no reason why I can’t be right up on top of the leaderboard,” Caldwell said.
Van Tonder shot a seven-under 64 to lead by a shot from Scotland’s David Drysdale (65) and last week’s Kenya Open winner Justin Harding (66) on 13-under.
Ardglass’ Cormac Sharvin shot 72 to make the four-under cut with a shot to spare but Gavin Moynihan steak of more than eight months without making a cut continued after a 76 left him on six-over.
In the Dominican Republic, 2019 winner Graeme McDowell is joined by Padraig Harrington and Seamus Power for the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship as Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow play the Kia Classic in California.
GROUP 1
Dustin Johnson (1) Adam Long (61) Kevin Na (28) Robert MacIntyre
RD. 1 – Dustin Johnson defeated Adam Long, 2-up; Robert MacIntyre defeated Kevin Na, 2 and 1.
With the match tied through 14 holes, 2017 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play winner and World No. 1 Dustin Johnson broke the deadlock at No. 15 with a 24’ 11” birdie putt. A sixth and final birdie of the day on No. 18 resulted in a 2-up win over Adam Long. Making his first start in the event, Robert MacIntyre made two eagles on the back nine (Nos. 13 and 16) and added a birdie on No. 15 to win over Kevin Na, 2 and 1.
GROUP 2
Justin Thomas (2) Matt Kuchar (52) Louis Oosthuizen (22) Kevin Kisner (34)
RD. 1 – Matt Kuchar defeated Justin Thomas, 3 and 2; Kevin Kisner defeated Louis Oosthuizen, 2 and 1.
2013 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play winner Matt Kuchar, who also lost to Kevin Kisner in the 2019 Championship Match, used six birdies through 16 holes to defeat the 2021 PLAYERS Championship winner, Justin Thomas. Kuchar is making his 11th start in an event in which he has advanced to the Round of 16 or further seven times. Defending WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play champion Kevin Kisner used an eagle at the par-5 12th and a birdie at the par-5 16th to close out Louis Oosthuizen. En route to his 2019 win, Kisner lost to Ian Poulter in the first round 2 and 1.
GROUP 3
Jon Rahm (3) Sebastian Munoz (56) Ryan Palmer (24) Shane Lowry (38)
RD. 1 – Ryan Palmer defeated Shane Lowry, 4 and 2; Jon Rahm defeated Sebastian Munoz, 1-up.
Making his third start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and first since 2015 (T52), Amarillo, Texas native Ryan Palmer claimed his second match victory in the event. Ireland’s Shane Lowry is making his sixth start in the event, with a T9 in his first start of 2013 his best showing. After Sebastian Munoz made a 24’ 5” putt for birdie on No. 18, Jon Rahm drained a 7’ 10” birdie putt to win 1-up. In his first start at the event in 2017, Rahm lost in the Championship Match to Dustin Johnson (1-up).
GROUP 4
Collin Morikawa (4) J.T. Poston (63) Billy Horschel (32) Max Homa (35)
RD. 1 – Collin Morikawa and J.T. Poston tied; Billy Horschel defeated Max Homa, 1-up.
Both making their first start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Collin Morikawa and J.T. Poston combined for 12 birdies and an eagle. Poston made a 10’11” putt at No. 18 to force a tie with Morikawa.
Billy Horschel birdied his first three holes to step out to an early 3-up lead. Bogeys on Nos. 7, 8, 13 and 14 dropped him to all square through 14 holes. With a birdie at No. 16, Horschel clenched the 1-up victory in his fifth start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
GROUP 5
Bryson DeChambeau (5) Antoine Rozner (58) Tommy Fleetwood (21) Si Woo Kim (45)
RD. 1 – Antoine Rozner defeated Bryson DeChambeau, 2-up; Tommy Fleetwood and Si Woo Kim tied.
In his first start at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, France’s Antoine Rozner defeated No. 5 seed Bryson DeChambeau, who was able to manage just one birdie (par-4 third) on the day. In DeChambeau’s only other start in the event, he was eliminated after losing 5 and 4 to Marc Leishman on the third day of group play. One down going to the last hole, Tommy Fleetwood made a 9’ 11” birdie putt at No. 18 to finish in a tie with Si Woo Kim.
GROUP 6
Xander Schauffele (6) Andy Sullivan (57) Scottie Scheffler (30) Jason Day (44)
RD. 1 – Xander Schauffele and Andy Sullivan tied; Scottie Scheffler defeated Jason Day, 2-up.
Three down through 10 holes, Xander Schauffele managed to win Nos. 11, 12 and 16 to finish in a tie with Andy Sullivan. Sullivan made 17 pars, with his lone birdie of the match coming at the par-4 eighth hole. Schauffele’s best of two previous starts in the event is advancing to the Round of 16 (2018). Sullivan has yet to advance past group play in three prior appearances. In his WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play debut, Scottie Scheffler beat 2014 and 2016 champion Jason Day, 2- up. Day is making his 10th start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. This marks Day’s fourth first-round loss and second consecutive dating back to 2019.
GROUP 7
Patrick Reed (7) Bubba Watson (55) Joaquin Niemann (26) Christiaan Bezuidenhout (33)
RD. 1 – Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson tied; Joaquin Niemann and Christiaan Bezuidenhout tied.
2018 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play champion Bubba Watson seeks a second title in his 10th consecutive start. Patrick Reed’s highest finishes in six previous starts are advancing to the Round of 16 in 2016 and 2018. Both making their first start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Christiaan Bezuidenhout was 2-down through 16 holes against Joaquin Niemann before birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 resulted in a tie.
GROUP 8
Tyrrell Hatton (8) Matt Wallace (51) Lee Westwood (18) Sergio Garcia (39)
RD. 1 – Sergio Garcia defeated Lee Westwood 4 and 3; Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Wallace tied.
With his birdie at No. 18, Matt Wallace drew even with No. 8 seed Tyrrell Hatton to tie the match. In his 18th start in the event, Sergio Garcia recorded birdies on four of his first six holes en route to the 26th match victory of his career in the event. Garcia advanced to the Quarterfinals in 2019 and the Round of 16 in 2018.
GROUP 9
Webb Simpson (9) Talor Gooch (59) Paul Casey (17) Mackenzie Hughes (48)
RD. 1 – Webb Simpson defeated Talor Gooch, 6 and 5; Mackenzie Hughes defeated Paul Casey, 3 and 2.
Making his eighth start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, No. 9 seed Webb Simpson is looking to advance to the Round of 16 for the third time in his career (2013-14). Talor Gooch is making his first start in the event. In his WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play debut, Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes defeated Paul Casey, who is making his 15th tournament start. Casey has advanced to the Round of 16 or further seven times in his career at the event.
GROUP 10
Patrick Cantlay (10) Brian Harman (54) Hideki Matsuyama (23) Carlos Ortiz (42)
RD. 1 – Patrick Cantlay defeated Brian Harman, 1-up; Carlos Ortiz defeated Hideki Matsuyama, 4 and 3.
Patrick Cantlay and Brian Harman were both 8-under on their rounds and did not record a bogey. Cantlay’s eagle-3 on the par-5 12th gave him a 1-up advantage which he held for the remainder of the match. Carlos Ortiz won his first match in his first WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play start, while Hideki Matsuyama has now lost in the first round in three of his last five starts in the event.
GROUP 11
Rory McIlroy (11) Ian Poulter (60) Cameron Smith (25) Lanto Griffin (46)
RD. 1 – Ian Poulter defeated Rory McIlroy, 6 and 5; Cameron Smith defeated Lanto Griffin, 1-up.
2010 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play winner Ian Poulter won five consecutive holes (Nos. 9-13) to win his 30th match in his 15th start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. This marks the fourth occasion in 12 starts that McIlroy, the 2015 champion, has lost an opening match (2013, 2017, 2018 and 2021). McIlroy’s biggest loss in any match was 8 and 7 to Ben Crane in round two of 2011. Making his third start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Cameron Smith defeated Lanto Griffin, who is making his first start in the event. Smith won Nos. 16-18 in order to defeat Griffin.
GROUP 12
Tony Finau (12) Dylan Frittelli (64) Jason Kokrak (29) Will Zalatoris (40)
RD. 1- Dylan Frittelli defeated Tony Finau, 6 and 5; Jason Kokrak defeated Will Zalatoris, 1-up.
Making his second appearance at Austin Country Club, former University of Texas standout Dylan Frittelli never lost a hole en route to a convincing 6-and-5 win over No. 13 seed Tony Finau.
Both making their first start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Jason Kokrak birdied four of his last five holes to rally back from 1-down to win 1-up over Will Zalatoris.
GROUP 13
Viktor Hovland (13) Kevin Streelman (53) Abraham Ancer (27) Bernd Wiesberger (43)
RD. 1 – Kevin Streelman defeated Viktor Hovland, 4 and 2; Abraham Ancer defeated Bernd Wiesberger, 3 and 2.
In just his second start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (2014), Kevin Streelman birdied Nos. 15 and 16 to end the match with a 4-and-2 win over Norway’s Viktor Hovland. Hovland is making his first appearance in the event. With birdies on three of his first six holes, and despite three straight bogeys on Nos. 7-9, Abraham Ancer defeated Bernd Wiesberger in his second start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (2019). In five previous starts in the event, Wiesberger has never advanced to the Round of 16.
GROUP 14
Daniel Berger (14) Erik van Rooyen (62) Harris English (19) Brendon Todd (47)
RD. 1 –Daniel Berger defeated Erik van Rooyen, 6 and 4; Harris English defeated Brendon Todd, 1-up.
A week after withdrawing from The Honda Classic (rib injury), Daniel Berger claimed just his second victory in his fourth start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Erik van Rooyen is making his debut in the event. Harris English and Brendon Todd, both University of Georgia products, made it to the 18th hole before the duo tied with matching pars. In two previous starts in the event, English advanced to the Round of 16 in 2014 and the Round of 32 in 2015.
GROUP 15
Matt Fitzpatrick (15) Jordan Spieth (49) Matthew Wolff (20) Corey Conners (37)
RD. 1 – Jordan Spieth defeated Matt Fitzpatrick, 3 and 1; Matthew Wolff defeated Corey Conners, 3 and 1.
On the heels of top-5 finishes in two of his last four starts on the PGA TOUR, Jordan Spieth opened with a victory in his seventh consecutive WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. He has twice advanced to the Round of 16 or better (2014, 2016). Both making their WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play debut, Matthew Wolff birdied his last three holes to win 3 and 1 over Corey Conners. Conners is poised to defend his maiden PGA TOUR victory at next week’s Valero Texas Open.
GROUP 16
Sungjae Im Russell Henley Victor Perez Marc Leishman
RD. 1 – Sungjae Im defeated Russell Henley, 1-up; Victor Perez defeated Marc Leishman, 2 and 1.
With four birdies and no bogeys carrying the match to the 18th hole, Sungjae Im emerged victorious in his WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play debut. Im comes off a T8 at last week’s The Honda Classic, where he was in defense of his 2020 title. With a birdie at No. 16 – his fifth birdie of the day – France’s Victor Perez took what proved to be an insurmountable lead over Australia’s Marc Leishman. Perez is making his first start in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
