Rory McIlroy qualifies for WGC semi-finals

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World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play - Day Four — Rory McIlroy reacts after making birdie on the fifteenth inexperienced throughout day 4 of the World Golf Championships-Dell Applied sciences Match Play at Austin Nation Membership on March 25, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Photograph by Tom Pennington/Getty Photographs. Supplied by European Tour Group Communications.

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Rory McIlroy holed a vital birdie putt on the 18th to edge an exhilarating quarter-final conflict in opposition to Xander Schauffele and guide his place within the final 4 of the 2023 WGC-Dell Applied sciences Match Play.

McIlroy had come by means of two very shut matches on Saturday, holding off Lucas Herbert within the final 16 earlier than dealing with a really completely different problem in opposition to Schauffele.

The 33-year-old Irish golfer by no means trailed in opposition to Herbert however was unable to calm down, with the Australian staying in contact together with his opponent all through the competition. The Co Down native overcame a late scare to shut out a two-hole victory.

It was all very completely different in opposition to Schauffele, nevertheless, as McIlroy didn’t lead till his clutch putt from round 12 ft on the 18th inexperienced earned him a memorable one-hole win.

World Quantity Three McIlroy, who made 17 birdies throughout his two matches on day 4, will meet Cameron Younger within the semis at Austin Nation Membership. Younger held off a surprising fightback try and beat debutant Kurt Kitayama by one gap.

Commenting on his efficiency, Rory McIlroy mentioned:

“I putted nicely all day. I felt yesterday in opposition to Keegan (Bradley) I discovered one thing or I acquired a really feel, after which putted very well this morning in opposition to Lucas, after which continued that this afternoon.

“I feel successful the Match Play is at all times a large accomplishment due to what it’s a must to undergo. It’s seven rounds and – particularly this week, I really feel like lots of my matches have been actually, actually shut, so to have the ability to pull them out once I’ve wanted to has been very gratifying.”

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler got here from behind to beat Jason Day 2&1, whereas Sam Burns noticed off Mackenzie Hughes 3&2 of their quarter-final.

The World Quantity One discovered himself three down within the early phases earlier than successful three holes with out reply to stage issues up after 12 holes.

He then gained the thirteenth and 14th to go 2UP earlier than nearly making an ace on the seventeenth, with a birdie there clinching his tenth consecutive match win at this occasion.