Rory McIlroy commits to 2018 Dell Technologies Match Play

AUSTIN, Texas – With less than six weeks until the 2018 World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, Rory McIlroy, the 2015 champion, has committed to return to Austin Country Club March 21-25 to compete against the best 64 players in the world in the unique match-play format.

“I’m looking forward to [WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play],” McIlroy said. “Austin is an awesome city. And the players, I think, really enjoy it. Personally, for me, it is one of the most enjoyable weeks of the year, just with so much to do and you can walk around the city. It’s a really cool setting and just looking forward to trying to stay there for as long as possible this year. Match play is always a format that I've enjoyed and I've done well at. Hopefully I can continue that success in March.”

In the first year the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was held at Austin Country Club in 2016, Day and McIlroy produced one of the most memorable matches in the championship’s storied history. In a back-and-forth semifinals match that lived up to their star billing, the duo played 18 holes in a combined better ball score of 9-under. Needing a par at the last to hold off McIlroy, Day buried a 13-foot putt for the 1-up victory and his second WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play title in three years.

“Rory McIlroy’s competitive nature and passion for match play has long made him one of the most exciting players to watch compete in this format, and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to Austin this year,” said Executive Director Jordan Uppleger. “His match with Jason Day in 2016 is one that will be talked about for a long time to come at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. We know our fans will be looking forward to seeing what kind of back nine theatrics he can produce again this year.”

In 2015, McIlroy won his second career World Golf Championships event by dispatching of Gary Woodland with a 4&2 victory in the Championship Match. On his way to the title, McIlroy survived a thrilling 22-hole match with Paul Casey and a 20-hole match with Billy Horschel en route to his first win at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. It was the first time the World’s No. 1-ranked player at the time had won the event since Tiger Woods accomplished the feat in 2008.

Since McIlroy’s victory, the World’s No. 1 has become common place in the winner’s circle at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Jason Day won the 2016 event to take over No. 1 world ranking, while current No. 1 Dustin Johnson followed up Day with a victory of his own last year in Austin.

The 2018 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, the third of four World Golf Championships events during the 2017-18 season, has a limited number of tickets remaining. Tickets can be purchased at DellTechnologiesMatchPlay.com or by calling 844-868-7465. Tickets available include weekly grounds badges that grant access to the Austin Country Club grounds and all public venues, fan activations and bleachers. Additionally, ULTRA Club badges are available. The ULTRA Club, which is located on the 12th fairway, offers an enhanced venue to follow the action, with several televisions located throughout and open seating for guests to sit and mingle in a relaxed sports bar setting.

Those who purchased tickets are reminded that youth 18 and under will be admitted free all week when accompanied by a ticketed adult (one free youth ticket per each adult ticket will be available). This free ticket only applies for grounds tickets and not upgraded hospitality options.

The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play is one of the most elite and exciting tournaments on golf’s calendar as one in a series of four World Golf Championships events sanctioned and organized by the operational committee of the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play field annually consists of the very best players from around the world from all Tours and traditionally features nearly all of the top 64 in the world.

Since its inception, the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play has generated more than $17 million for charity with the tournament announcing in early October that the 2017 edition raised over $1.1 million for five Austin-based charities.