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Rory McIlroy's eye on Augusta after win in WGC-Dell Match Play opener but Shane Lowry and Seamus Power suffer defeats

A buoyant Rory McIlroy turned one eye towards his latest attempt to win the Masters after opening with a win in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

The world number three led from start to finish to beat Scott Stallings 3&1 in their match at Austin Country Club which puts him in a strong position to reach the knockout stages.

"Obviously this part of the season you've got one eye on what you're doing now and one eye on Augusta," said McIlroy, who had a new putter in the bag and used it effectively to make six birdies, the last one a concession on the 17th which sealed victory.

"I had to respond a couple times to what Scott did on the back nine, so it was nice to sort of feel that little bit of pressure and have to hit a shot or have to make a putt."

Asked about reports that he had needed just 19 putts in a recent practice round at Augusta National, McIlroy said with a laugh: "Look, I had two good days. We played 54 holes in two days and it was good. I was really happy with where my game was. It was sort of good to see that after struggling at The Players [Championship]."

McIlroy had earlier backed the proposal from the game's governing bodies for a shorter ball to be used in elite competition, a change which could reduce hitting distances by around 15 yards if implemented from 2026.

"It would be like me going back to my 2015 equipment and I seemed to do OK then," McIlroy added.

"For me it's trying to just keep the integrity of what the game was supposed to be. Obviously innovation happens, but I don't think people imagined golf the way pros play the game right now.

"I'd love to see just a little more versatility put back into the game, and I think that's what this change would ultimately do."

Shane Lowry was defeated 2&1 in his

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