G-Mac plots Rory downfall

IRELAND’S top two, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, clash at Finca Cortesin this morning in the plum match of the first knock-out round of the €3. 4 million Volvo World Match Play Championship.

Whereas McDowell maintained his 100% record after the second round of pool matches by beating the Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas on the 18th, McIlroy struggled for much of the day and lost 3&2 to the Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, setting up the clash of the two Irishmen.

McDowell had six birdies on his card but McIlroy could manage only two against Colsaerts and so goes into this match as a slight outsider.