Accenture Match Play Championship: Rory McIlroy keeps alive his hopes to become number one in OWGR – Golf News
The US Champion, Rory McIlroy, kept alive his hopes of securing first spot in the Official World Golf Rankings after clinching a 3&2-score victory over Dane Anders Hansen in the second round of the World Golf Championship – Accenture Match Play Championship
on Thursday, February 23, 2012.
McIlroy, who birdied the 14th to go 3-up against Hansen, sealed his victory with a par putt on the par-three 16th to enter the third round of the tournament.
At the post-match conversation to the media, McIlroy said that he is pleased with his position in the third round, even though he was not at his best in the game.
“It was a decent match,” the 22-year-old Northern Irishman said. “We both didn't have our best stuff with us”.
“I needed to grind out a few pars, and I won a few holes with pars. I was pretty fortunate to get up-and-downs on 15 and 16 to close the game out. I'm just happy to be through to the third round,” he added.
He will now face Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez in the top-16 field at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain –Marana, Arizona.
"I am confident that I can hang in there," he said. "I have hit a few loose shots, but to play the way I have the first two days and get through two matches gives me a little bit of confidence".
He further added by saying that he is doing good to improve his driving. However, he sometimes appears to be a bit shaky with his iron shots to go left, which needs to be worked out before the third round begins on Friday.
Moreover, he looked motivated by the idea that he can lead the OWGR with a win in the tournament.
He said that he was told by everyone about the benchmark, which is helping him perform better as the tournament progresses.
In another match, Lee Westwood defeated Robert Karlsson to move into the third round. He is another contender for the first place in the OWGR.
If both the players win their next two matches, they will face each other in the semi final of the event.
Tags: