Lowry eliminates McIlroy from WGC-Match Play
Feb. 21, 2013 - 8:30 PM ET
Rory McIlroy was beaten by 64-seed Shane Lowry 1 down in the Jones Bracket in the opening round of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.
The Irishmen halved only seven of the 18 holes they played but neither held more than a 2-up lead at any point. McIlroy's last advantage disappeared when Lowry won the par-4 10th hole with a par. Lowry, who is making his debut in this event, then sent a message with a birdie-eagle run at holes 12 and 13 to stake his 2-up margin. McIlroy split it in half with a par-4 at 14th but then conceded the 15th. A birdie-3 by McIlroy at 16 again reduced Lowry's lead to 1-up, but matching pars at 17 and 18 sealed McIlroy's fate. Lowry advances to Friday's second round to face the winner of Rickie Fowler v. Carl Pettersson.
