McIlroy suffers Match Play massacre

RORY McILROY crashed to the second biggest defeat in the history of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship as Graeme McDowell battled his way into the last 16 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club near Tucson.

McIlroy was crushed 8 and 7 by American Ben Crane and while there was little he could have done against an inspired opponent, close pal McDowell reluctantly pointed out that the talented 21-year old needs to become a more dogged competitor on the days when things don’t quite work out.

Relieved to beat friend and stablemate Ross Fisher 4 and 2 in an error-strewn encounter, McDowell said: “To be the best Rory can be, he’s got to develop that doggedness side to him. He’s one of these guys that makes the game look so incredibly easy.