Ruthless Rory relishing return to match play in Texas event

World no 2 keen show off his ‘ruthless streak’

Rory McIlroy is relishing the prospect of displaying a ruthless streak as he seeks a second WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play title this week.

McIlroy returned to second in the world rankings by finishing tied for fourth in the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday, his third top-seven finish from three events in an injury-affected season.

And the four-time major winner would like nothing more than to regain the trophy he won in 2015 in his final competitive outing before next month’s Masters, where he will attempt to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in completing the career grand slam.

Asked what makes him a good match play competitor, McIlroy told a pretournament press conference: “I think a ruthless streak... selfishness, in a way.

“And pride. I’m too proud to be beaten. I won’t let anyone get up on me. I sort of think too much of myself to let anyone do that to me.

“So that’s why I’ve always enjoyed match play because if you do get yourself into a bit of a dogfight out there, it’s something I’ve always quite enjoyed.

The 27-year-old reached the semifinals 12 months ago before losing by one hole to eventual champion Jason Day and is in favour of the round-robin format which sees group matches played today, tomorrow and Friday.

The winner of each group advances to the last 16 on Saturday morning, with the quarter-finals on Saturday afternoon and the semi-finals and final held on Sunday.

“I’ve been a big fan of going to this format,” added McIlroy, who will take on Kjeldsen today.

Getty. Rory McIlroy, beaten semi-finalist 12 months ago, hits a shot in practice at Austin yesterday.