WGC Accenture Matchplay Championship 2013: Rory McIlroy takes swing at Sir Nick Faldo over club switch McIlroy admitted that the sharpening of knives in the background did affect him in his season opener another desert five weeks ago. "I knew it would happen if I didn't play well in Abu Dhabi and I probably did put a little bit too much pressure on myself because of that," McIlroy said. The result was a 75-75 and a weekend on the range to acclimatise himself further with his new equipment. Except McIlroy claimed then and he claims now that the blame should have been on his own bad workmanship and not the tools. "The clubs performed fine, it was just I wasn't swinging at my best," said McIlroy, who signed a five-year contract for £78 million. He feels that after two weeks spent with his coach, Michael Bannon, in Florida, "I've turned a corner with my swing." So it should merely be a case of match fitness. Does he have enough time after such a protracted break which featured him skiing with his girlfriend, Caroline Wozniacki, in France? McIlroy seemed unconcerned. "I always try to make The Masters my sixth tournament of the year," he said. I'll know much more after [the WGC Cadillac Championship at] Doral after this three-week run. That'll be a good measurement stick to where my game's at. A fast start is vital against Lowry. The world No 68 is a fine putter and as he proved when winning the 2009 Irish Open as an amateur he is not afraid to grasp a golden opportunity. McIlroy actually stayed behind after his own round at Baltray on that famous Sunday to cheer on his friend as he beat Robert Rock in a play-off. McIlroy sprayed him in champagne, urged him to turn pro immediatedly and, in Lowry's words, "he's been there ever since if I've ever needed him." The pair share a management company and regularly go out for dinner. "This match should be a laugh whatever happens," Lowry said. If only it were so simple for McIlroy. At least the Blarney Army will be celebrating here on Wednesday night whatever happens. With Graeme McDowell playing Padraig Harrington this could seem less like the World Matchplay and more like the All-Ireland Matchplay. Yet there is plenty of English, Scottish and Welsh interest, too. Next to the United States, who have 21 of the 64 competitors, the home nations boast the next highest representation with nine. The likes of Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Paul Lawrie will need no introduction to these galleries, but for Stephen Gallacher, Chris Wood, David Lynn and Jamie Donaldson this is their day to introduce their talents. Perhaps Gallacher has the most imposing challenge of the quartet. As the Scot put it: "Thankfully, I'm not American, because Ian Poulter seems to save his best for them." Wood, the 25-year-old from Bristol, might fancy his chances in the gusts against the erratic genius of the Masters champion, Bubba Watson, while Lynn, the Midlander who finished second to McIlroy at last year's USPGA, plays the US Open champion, Webb Simpson. Lynn and Simpson both employ the long putter. On Wednesday it emerged that the PGA Tour will detail its opposition to the forthcoming "anchoring ban" in a letter to the USGA, which along with the R&A sets the rules. Jim Furyk is a member of the Policy Board and explained how their stance stops well short of civil war. "The USGA asked for the different bodies of golf to give their opinion," Furyk said. Whether or not we agree with the USGA and we're going down that road, we disagree or we're going against the USGA, that bridge hasn't been crossed yet.