Last hope McIlroy makes exit

IRELAND’S last hope in the World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play Championship ended last night as Oliver Wilson ousted Rory McIlroy in 20 holes at Tucson.

McIlroy stood 2 up on the 14th tee of this match, and then lost that hole to Wilson’s bogey. The 20-year-old never recovered. Wilson birdied the 15th to square the match. They each parred the final three holes to force sudden death. Both parred the first extra hole, but Wilson birdied the 20th hole to win it. He’ll face Luke Donald in the third round today.

“I didn’t deserve to win today,” admitted a disappointed McIlroy.

“I only made one birdie all day and I didn’t take my chances when they did come.”

Wilson stated after his victory over McIlroy: “I’m obviously delighted, but it’s mainly relief. That’s great scalp for me.’

Donald will be his third European opponent in a row and he added: “It’s a strange one, but European golf is in a strong place right now.”

Paul Casey and Luke Donald took further steps on the comeback trail with convincing second wins.

Last year’s runner-up Casey, still recovering from the torn rib muscle he suffered last summer, crushed Canadian left-hander Mike Weir 5&4.

But Donald, returning to form following wrist surgery in 2008, went one better than that with a 6&5 drubbing of Australian Robert Allenby.The 32-year-old, runner-up on the US Tour two weeks ago, had opened with an eight-birdie victory over Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and commented: “(It was) another solid day. Five birdies, no bogeys. I picked off the par-fives and Robert didn’t quite have his game”.