Poulter hammers McIlroy 6&5 in opening round of match play

Sean O'Leary• ·
AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 24: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot on the sixth tee in his match against Ian Poulter of England during the first round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 24, 2021 in Austin, Texas.
Darren Carroll / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Ian Poulter beat a shambolic Rory McIlroy in the opening round of WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play on Wednesday, taking the head-to-head 6&5.

Poulter is a savvy match-play veteran, but McIlroy practically defeated himself.

On the fifth hole, Rory hit his tee shot into the drink - not a water hazard on the course; rather a swimming pool of a nearby home.

It wasn't just the driver that hurt McIlroy. While five down, he drilled a chip across the green and into the water.

Prior to this week's event in Texas, McIlroy hired Pete Cowen as his new swing coach. The decision came after lackluster showings at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players - two events he's won in the past.

McIlroy returns to action Thursday to take on Lanto Griffin.

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