After missing the halfway cut in Abu Dhabi in his first event with his new clubs, the world number one went out in the first round to his great friend Shane Lowry in the Accenture Match Play Championship on Thursday.
Woods also lost to a pal of his in the shape of fellow American Charles Howell. Not only McIlroy, but in the gathering gloom the event lost world number two Tiger Woods as well as this event lived up to its reputation to expect the unexpected.
No doubt the knives will be out for McIlroy but it’s always unwise to be too judgmental when it is this volatile format. Besides, there were moments at the end from McIlroy that suggested it won’t be too long before normal service is resumed.
McIlroy had been two up after five and probably should have been four up but missed a couple of short putts. Back came Lowry, as his genius around the greens duly showed itself.
When he followed those efforts with a brilliant eagle three at the 13th he had established a two hole lead. He chipped in not only at the 11th hole but the 12th as well.
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http://en.africatopsports.com/2013/02/21/golf-serapongs-top-championship-ahead-of-asias-major/