Rory McIlroy off to losing start at WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play

Rory McIlroy hits out of the sand on the first hole, during a first round match, at the Dell Technologies Match Play Championship. Picture: AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Rory McIlroy’s decision to add Pete Cowen to his coaching team failed to pay instant dividends as he slumped to a 6&5 defeat to Ian Poulter in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

Poulter made the ideal start with a birdie on the first and won the fourth and fifth with pars, McIlroy’s drive on the latter hole going out of bounds and finishing up in a swimming pool.