Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy aims to win the WGC-Accenture Match Play and takes over from Luke Donald as world No 1.
Second seed McIlroy came to beat South African George Coetzee, while current world number one Luke Donald lost to Ernie Els.
Donald’s first round defeat means McIlroy or Lee Westwood will take over at the top if they win this week.
McIlroy, who plays Denmark’s Anders Hansen in the last 32 on Thursday, is the only Northern Ireland player left in the tournament following defeats to Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke.
McDowell was beaten by the South Korean YE Yang, and reigning Open champion Clarke lost by to the USA’s Nick Watney.
“It is just nice to get through,” said McIlroy. “It is another thing knowing you could be world number one.”
The 22 year old McIlroy was certainly breathing a sigh of relief in the opening round after struggling to beat South African George Coetzee two up having taken a three up lead with three holes to play.
He also kept Irish interest in the event alive following first round defeats for Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke and he reckons he’ll be even more determined now to go all the way and become the first Irish world No 1.
