Woods Eliminates Rory McIlroy With 2&1 Win at WGC-Match Play
Steve DiMeglio, author for Golfweek
AUSTIN, Texas – Tiger Woods withstood a charge from Rory McIlroy and weathered a nasty storm front that moved in over Austin County Club on the back nine to advance to the Elite 8 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
Woods took control of the match with birdies on the fifth and sixth holes as poor chip shots on both by McIlroy led to losses. Woods went 3 up when McIlroy three-putted from 32 feet on the 10th, missing a 3-footer.
McIlroy came back with birdies on the 12th and 13th holes and seemed to be one good swing away from tying the match on the par-5 16th when crazy joined the group. McIlroy, after a 395-yard drive, had just 172 yards into the green but pushed his shot to the right and just outside a greenside bunker.
From there, he made a 7 and conceded the hole.
As Woods eyed a 45-footer for birdie, McIlroy was 35 yards from the pin. But from an awkward lie and with an awkward stance, McIlroy’s third shot flew the green, got through the crowd and ended up against wooden planks by the cart path. With nowhere good to drop up there, McIlroy returned to where he took his third shot from and took his penalty drop.
He dunked his fifth shot into a bunker, chipped to short distance but conceded.
“I played pretty consistent the entire day,” Woods said. “Felt like I didn’t give him any holes. And Rory didn’t make any putts today. I think he made two birdies today. It was just a tough day all around.”…
