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Rory McIlroy: Struggles continue in opening of WGC-Match Play

By Christopher O'Day

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 24: 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)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 24: 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) /
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Rory McIlroy has been facing a lot of struggles lately, and that continued to start the WGC-Match Play.

Yes, I know that he was T-6th and T-10th at the Workday and the Arnold Palmer, respectively. He also shot 76 in the final round at the Arnold Palmer and missed the cut at the PLAYERS and the Genesis. It’s not what you would expect from someone with as many accomplishments as he has, and that is as talented as he is.

A large part of the reason why has already come out, with Rory admitting that he was trying too hard to keep up with Bryson DeChambeau. It messed up his swing plane and fatigued him more than he expected. It sort of makes sense that he would try and keep up with Bryson, as it can be hard to lose the title of longest hitter out there.

The struggles for Rory McIlroy continued at the WGC-Match Play when he was embarrassed by Ian Poulter during the opening match of the entire tournament. It started off instantly, as Poulter would win the first hole of the day after making a birdie.

He would get two more on Rory at the 4th and 5th holes, winning both of those with pars. Rory missed a short putt on the 4th and had a bad stretch on the 5th, and would be down three after five.

It looked like Rory McIlroy was turning things around, as he would go on to win both the 6th and 8th holes, birdieing both of them. Unfortunately, he gave the one at the 8th back instantly when Poulter would birdie the 9th and take a two-hole lead into the back nine.

What was even worse was the fact that the 9th hole would be the first of five consecutive holes that Rory would lose to Ian Poulter. Poulter would go birdie-birdie-eagle-par, highlighted by a magnificent shot on the 12th, hitting from ~260 yards out to just seven feet, and making his eagle putt.

Next. 2021 WGC-Match Play: Top 10 power rankings at Austin CC. dark

Rory McIlroy only has a couple of weeks left to figure out his game. The Masters and the rest of the majors are right around the corner. If today was any indication, you should look elsewhere when making your major picks once that time rolls around.

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