Rory McIlroy qualifies for WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play semi-finals after Xander Schauffele nail-biter | Golf News

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Rory McIlroy edged Xander Schauffele on the final hole of their quarter-final in the WGC Match Play.

Rory McIlroy progressed to the semi-finals of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play with a nail-biting win over Xander Schauffele, as world No 1 Scottie Scheffler produced a back-nine masterclass to come from three behind to beat Jason Day.

After being deadlocked from the 12th hole onwards, McIlroy and Schauffele both found trouble from the tee on the 18th leaving difficult approach shots to the green.

The American was worse off and couldn’t find the putting surface with his second shot. He chipped onto the green to give himself a chance with his third before McIlroy stepped up and holed a magnificent birdie from 12ft at the last to seal a brilliant 1up victory.

« Yeah I feel great. » McIlroy, who beat Australian Lucas Herbert 2up earlier in the day, told Sky Sports. « If someone told me I was going to be a combined 16-under par for the two rounds, there’s no way I would’ve thought I played the 18th twice today but it just shows the calibre that you need to play at out here to try to beat these guys.

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Rory McIlroy says he’s relished the pressure of head-to-head golf after The Players Championship and is still feeling great after 36 holes.

« I got off to a little bit of a slower start this afternoon compared to this morning but was able to sort of battle and claw my way back and I held some great putts down the stretch to finally get the win. »

Meanwhile, Scheffler was three shots behind his Australian opponent on the seventh, but hit eight birdies without a bogey – including five in his last six holes – to claim a 2&1 triumph over Day.

Scottie Scheffler acknowledges the gallery after defeating JT Poston

It came after he completed an epic comeback to defeat JT Poston 1up earlier in the day, when he was sitting two behind going into the final four holes, before hitting three birdies and parring the last to claim an unlikely win.

In the other two semi-finals, Sam Burns beat Mackenzie Hughes 3&2 after beating world No 4 Patrick Cantlay earlier in the day and Cameron Young was the final player to seal a last-four berth, defeating Kurt Kitayama 1up.

That means the Australian has sealed a last-four clash with McIlroy, while Scheffler will face Burns for a chance to lift the trophy.

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