Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have both been given tough draws, as the group stages of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was drawn on Monday night.
The duo, compete in the 64-man field, with each player guaranteed at least three matches in the tournament. The event sees the 64 players split into 16 groups of four, with only the winners reaching the Round of 16.
McIlroy, the 2015 winner was the top seed in Group 2. He faces a repeat of the 2015 Final, as he has been drawn against Gary Woodland. Former Irish Open champion Soren Kjeldsen and 2016 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Emiliano Grillo complete the group.
Gary Woodland was runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the 2015 @DellMatchPlay.
They'll get a rematch when they meet in Group 2 this week. pic.twitter.com/YCvpvDG9fF
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 20, 2017
Shane Lowry has been drawn into a very tough Group 7. The Offaly native will face the Spanish duo of Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm. Debuntant Kevin Chappell completes the group.
Lowry was the drawn at the bottom seed in the group, and may have to reach the knockout stages if he wants to return to Augusta National this year for The Masters.
Jon Rahm has the edge in birdie averages for Group 7.
• Jon Rahm - 7th
• Shane Lowry - 32nd
• Sergio Garcia - 58th
• Kevin Chappell - 182nd pic.twitter.com/M2comQARQY— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 21, 2017
McIlroy and Lowry could meet each other in the quarter-finals in both get that far. If the duo win their groups, they will be guaranteed top-ten finishes in Austin, Texas.
The tournament begins on Wednesday.
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