McDowell suffers rare defeat

Defending champion Graeme McDowell suffered just his third ever defeat in the Volvo World Match Play Championship against an inspired Mikko Ilonen on Thursday.

McDowell suffers rare defeat

Defending champion Graeme McDowell suffered just his third ever defeat in the Volvo World Match Play Championship against an inspired Mikko Ilonen on Thursday.

McDowell reached the quarter-finals of the event on his debut in 2011, the final in 2012 and won the title last year, while his victory over Alexander Levy in the opening group match on Wednesday made for an overall record of 15 wins from 17 matches.

However, the Ryder Cup star found Ilonen in brilliant form at The London Club, the Finn carding seven birdies to hold off a determined McDowell fight back and secure a 2&1 win.

Ilonen was six under par and four up after 10 holes, only for McDowell to birdie the 11th, 13th and 15th to get back to one down with three holes to play and threaten a repeat of his come-from-behind win over Jordan Spieth in the singles at Gleneagles.

Both players then found a greenside bunker at the short 17th but after McDowell missed his birdie attempt from long range, Ilonen holed out birdie to seal the win.

“I’m disappointed to lose today but Mikko was incredibly solid,” McDowell said. “I felt like I played the best golf the first five holes but he putted better and that was the difference.”

With Joost Luiten claiming his second win of the week against Alexander Levy, all four members of the Larson Group can still qualify for the quarter-finals. Luiten and McDowell play each other on Friday, with Levy taking on Ilonen.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

OFX Irish Legends Media Day Paul McGinley wants to address Irish Senior Open regret
The 2016 Ryder Cup Matches - Day 1 - Afternoon Fourball Matches Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's virtual golf league to launch in January
2023 Ryder Cup – Singles Matches 'Drunken lunch' led to Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry teaming up for New Orleans
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up

Ireland's Top 10 Hidden Gems

Ten of the best golf courses in Ireland that too few people know about.

Read Here
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited