HOUSTON - Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy thinks he will carry a psychological edge into his duel with Gary Woodland after being drawn to face the American in the opening round of this week's World Golf Championship-Dell Match Play tournament.

The charismatic McIlroy defeated Woodland in the final of the tournament two years ago in San Francisco.

The world No 2, who revels in the match play format, thinks the memory of that emphatic 4&2 victory will stand him in good stead when he locks horns with Woodland at Austin Country Club in Texas this week.