Mcllroy through to semis after difficult win over Schauffele

Rory Mcllroy progressed into the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Championship semi-final after clinching victory over Xander Schauffele in Austin, Texas.

The world number three holed a 15-foot putt on the 18th green for birdie to snatch the match in the dying moments. It was the only time he was able to get in front throughout the whole game.

Earlier in the day Mcllroy faced against the Australian Lucas Herbert and that was again a hard-fought encounter that also went down to the wire.

After hitting nine birdies in a bogey-free round against Herbert, McIlroy made another six against Schauffele, plus one bogey.

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The American was rampant in the opening stages, going two up on the front nine, but McIlroy held in there to stay in the match and took his chance with his final putt after his opponent’s wayward tee shot.

“If someone told me I would be a combined 16 under for the day, there was no way I would have thought I’d play the 18th twice.” Mcllroy said

“It just shows the calibre you need to play to beat these guys.”