WGC DELL TECHNOLOGIES MATCH PLAY

March 25, 2023

Rory McIlroy

Austin Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. He took you all the way to the very end but you stood up and your putting saved you time and time again on the back nine. How did it feel for you?

RORY McILROY: It felt great. If you look at the stats over the last three days, Lucas probably played some of the best golf of everyone, so I knew I was in for a tough game. I got off to a really good start, but every time I hit it in close, he'd answer me with a birdie.

It was one of those games where it was really back and forth. On that back nine I had to hole some nice putts coming in there to keep my nose in front, and this 18th hole has been good to me over the week. It would be nice not to have to play it.

But yeah, another great drive up here and was able to two-putt. Obviously very excited.

Q. You've got Xander this afternoon. Excitement?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, a little rematch of our Ryder Cup dual in 2021 at Whistling Straits, so yeah, looking forward to it. Happy to get through and go try and recharge and refuel here and get ready for the next one.

Q. I'm with 2015 champion Rory McIlroy. I'm only going to ask you one question. I know you've got a quick turnaround. Lucas Herbert said in his interview yesterday if Rory McIlroy brings his best, he's going to be a hard man to beat. How close was that to Rory McIlroy's best?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it was pretty close. Again, nine birdies, no bogeys. I needed every one of those birdies to beat Lucas. He played great, as well.

Yeah, I feel like as the week has went on I've gotten more confident and started to get my eye in with the putter, as well. Holed some nice putts coming down the stretch to just keep my nose in front, and it was nice to close it out there on 18, and excited to get through.