Rory stays in the hunt

RORY McILROY avoided an early exit at the WGC-Match Play with a 2&1 win over Jhonattan Vegas.

McIlroy, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday, had lost his opening match to Peter Uihlein. He said: “I felt a bit flat but I don’t want to use that as an excuse, Peter played great.”

World No.1 Dustin Johnson is out after two straight defeats.

JUDD TRUMP hit Neil Robertson for six to set up a Players Championship semifinal to savour against Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The defending champion reeled off six frames in a row to see off former world champion Robertson 6-1 in Llandudno.

Trump, 28, said: “Ronnie doesn’t scare me. It is my chance to shine, I feel good.”