Rory out despite walkover

FORMER champion Rory McIlroy crashed out of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play despite winning a match without hitting a single shot.

McIlroy, who lost his opening contest in group two to Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen, was due to face American Gary Woodland yesterday, the man he beat in the 2015 final.

However, Woodland withdrew from the £7.8 million event at Austin Country Club due to a “personal family matter”, leaving Kjeldsen — who would have played Wo o d l a n d today — needing only to halve his match with Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo to advance to the last 16.

And Kjeldsen, who had never previously won a match in the tournament, won four holes in succession from the 10th on his way to a 4&3 victory to book his place in the knockout stages.

Speaking after his round, Kjeldsen said: “I’m very pleased but actually not happy about Gary and what’s going on with Gary. I don’t know the details but Gary is one of the nicest guys out here. So we wish him all the best, and his family all the best.”

I t a l y ’s Francesco Molinari withdrew with a wrist injury after suffering a 5&3 defeat to Thongchai Jaidee.

That meant Sweden’s Alex Noren, who was due to play Molinari today, was guaranteed to advance from group eight having beaten Bernd Wiesberger 3&2 to claim his second win of the week.

In contrast, Masters champion Danny Willett was eliminated with a game to spare after being thrashed 6&5 by American Bill Haas.

Rory McIlroy