Shane fires Rory warning shot and aims to take desert by storm

Shane Lowry hopes to take advantage of the massive pressure on Rory McIlroy’s shoulders by dumping his pal out of next week’s $8.75m WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona.

While he could end up facing world No 2 Tiger Woods in the first round if there is a withdrawal from the 64-man field before Friday’s deadline, the Offaly star knows McIlroy’s staggered start to his estimated $250m Nike deal could play into his hands in Tucson.

“Rory is going to have a lot of pressure on him with the whole Nike thing after what happened in Abu Dhabi,” Lowry said in reference to McIlroy’s missed cut on his debut with Nike clubs three weeks ago.