Lowry wants to avoid pal McIlroy in Match-Play

Shane Lowry may be relaxed about qualifying for next month’s Accenture Match-Play Championship but he doesn’t like the idea of facing good friend and world No 1 Rory McIlroy in an opening round encounter.

Lowry is currently ranked 62nd in the world, with the world’s top 64 as at Monday week qualifying for the €6.45m event. Those players inside the top 64 will be seeded as per their world ranking, with number one facing 64, second against 63 and so on. A top-of-the-board finish in this week’s Omega Desert Classic would not only cement Lowry’s place in the Arizona field but also secure a tee time in the Masters as a member of the top 50 players in the world.

Because that event is so important to him, Lowry is considering skipping next week’s Joburg Open as a missed cut there could see him slip into that dreaded 64th position.