Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter were last seen in the player’s lounge at TPC Sawgrass sharing a lunch table while trying laugh off their horrific opening rounds of 79 and 77, respectively.
Things have improved some for Poulter… not so much for Rory.
The four-time major winner got absolutely smoked in the opening round of the WGC-Dell Match Play by his longtime friend and Ryder Cup teammate Poulter.
After a birdie on the very first hole to go 1-up, the 43-year old Englishman never relinquished the lead. McIlroy did make one brief charge with birdies on Nos. 6 and 8, but starting on No. 9, Poutler – a match play legend – put the petal down, and won five consecutive holes (Nos. 9. 10, 11, 12, and 13) to seal a 6 & 5 victory.
Watch: Poutler Blow Out McIlroy on Day 1 at the WGC-Match Play
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