There’s a very big added incentive awaiting Rory McIlroy when he tees-up in this week’s WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship and that’s the World No. 1 ranking.
McIlroy can move to No. 1 in the world in capturing the $US 8.5m event and current World No. 1 and defending champion Luke Donald does not progress to the third round.
It will be the first occasion in his relatively short professional careeer McIlroy enters a tournament knowing he can become the game’s No. 1 ranked player.
The reigning U.S. Open champion went back to No. 2 in the world on Monday despite note playing a shot last week, and it is the fifth occasion since last November he and Lee Westwood have traded places between No. 2 and No. 3.
McIlroy first has to get past ultra-talented South African George Coetzee who has been knocking on victory door for some time. No doubt Coetzee will be buoyed by the Avantha Masters success of good friend Jbe Kruger and that earlier this year of Branden Grace and Gareth Mulroy.
However McIlroy was playing down the possibility of moving to No. 1 when quizzed on his arrival in Arizona.
“The rankings are sort of a by-product of what you do,” said McIlroy.
“I’d rather just concentrate on trying to win tournaments and trying to improve as a player.
“If I happen to do that, then hopefully the ranking will take care of itself.”
Lee Westwood facing tough first round match against big-hitting Belguim Nicolas Colsaerts while Rory McIlroy will have his hands full with George Coetzee. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
If successful this week in moving to No. 1 it would mean ending Luke Donald’s nine month hold on the top ranking after he defeated then World No. 1 Westwood in last May’s BMW PGA Championship.
But it is not only McIlroy who can overtake Donald as his nine-month hold on the number one spot is also under threat from Westwood.
Westwood can regain the position with victory in Arizona as long as Donald does not make it through to the final eight.
Westwood is up against big-hitting Belgium Nicolas Colsaerts.
And Westwood, who revealed he has given up drinking apart from a few celebratory champagnes in receiving his OBE, knows he’s in for a tough first round encounter.
“Tomorrow is an exciting day for everybody,” said Westwood.
“It’s all in good condition, as usual, the golf course, the greens are great. I’ve got a tough first round match, but there are no easy ones. Nicolas is a good player, I played him before. I know him fairly well, I played him September of last year.
“He’s also got a game suited to this course and this format, so it will be a tough match.”
