McIlroy’s ready to Reed the riot act
RORY MCILROY insists he has “unfinished business” with Patrick Reed and is gunning for revenge on the American at the WGC-Match Play this week.
The pair played a feisty singles match at the Ryder Cup last September before Reed triumphed as the USA reclaimed the trophy.
McIlroy will tee up in the Texan’s home state today and revealed he is looking to sharpen his game in his final event before the Masters at Augusta.
But the world No.2 admitted he would also be going for the kill in another showdown with America’s new Ryder Cup talisman.
McIlroy said: “It would be nice to play Patrick again. There is some unfinished business there that I would like to clear up.
“We both play well in this format of the game so if it came to that and we were to face each other that would be awesome.
“It’s something I would really relish – to try to beat him by more than one hole, just so I have a little bit of an edge.
“Getting beaten on a Sunday of a Ryder Cup stings. It was a pleasure to be a part of that match but Patrick would be a nice little re-match.”
McIlroy won the WGC-Match Play in 2015 and only lost in the semis to Jason Day last year.
Asked why he is such a strong match play competitor, the Ulsterman said: “A ruthless streak. Selfishness. And pride. I’m too proud to be beaten.”
The first day of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play used to contain a lot of shocks.
But sponsors demanded a change and now every player stays until Friday.
The knockout stuff does not start until the weekend.
McIlroy will open against Soren Kjeldsen, Emiliano Grillo and Gary Woodland – the American he beat in the 2015 final.
The Northern Irishman said: “I enjoy this new round-robin format that we have implemented.”