Gory McIlroy: World No1 can’t hide his pain as he suffers shock loss

 
p64 22.02 Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy reacts after hitting out of the sand on the 18th in loss to Shane Lowry of Ireland during the weather delayed first round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship golf tournament in Marana, Arizona February 21, 2013. REUTERS/Ralph Freso
22 February 2013

Looking at these pictures you can probably guess how Rory McIlroy did at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona.

Yes, the world No1 crashed out of the first round to Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who is ranked No68, losing by one hole at Dove Mountain.

McIlroy was one down with two to play and his frustration at not closing the gap on the 17th and 18th was clear to see.

“I didn’t make enough birdies in the end,” said McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who has been friends with Lowry since their days as amateurs.

“I probably would have lost by more if I had played someone else in the field. It wasn’t a great quality match. I missed a lot of irons right.”

On a day of shocks, world No2 Tiger Woods lost by 2&1 to fellow American Charles Howell III, ranked 66th.

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