‘Divot’ the goat could end up not becoming a goose after picking third seed Rory McIlroy to win in the defence of his WGC – Dell Match-Play title in Austin, Texas.

McIlroy ensured interest in ‘Divot’s’ selection of the tournament’s third seed as eventual winner of the year’s second WGC title remained very alive despite McIlroy emerging a shock 1up winner of Danish opponent Thorbjorn Olesen.

It was the four-time Major winning McIlroy was looking the goat for much of his match until Olesen horribly ‘shanked’ a 20-foot chip shot from tricky rough behind the flag.

And when McIlroy putted his third to just under three feet, and with Olesen still nine feet from the hole ahead of playing four, the Dane graciously conceded the match, and in a classic match-play encounter on the Austin Country Club course.

So it was 1up for McIlroy and ‘Divot’ the goat still on course with his selection of the four-time Major winner to win through and scoop-up much of the hay in the $US 9.5m tournament.

“Match play is all about just getting through,” said McIlroy.

“Especially this time you don’t have to play your best golf these rounds. You have to get through and get by and get into the weekend.

“So I’m one step towards doing that after today. But then I know that I’m going to have to play a bit better if I want to win my next matches.”