Wednesday 2 March 2016 17:21, UK
Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth will once again go head-to-head this week when they tee off alongside Jason Day in the opening round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship.
The Race to Dubai champion looks to bounce back from last week's Honda Classic missed cut as part of the featured group on Thursday morning, as world No 1 Spieth returns to action after a busy start to the year.
McIlroy has already set his sights on returning to the top of the world rankings before the Masters in April, while Spieth has failed to replicate last year's dominant form during his early-season appearances.
With the pair looking to start producing their best in the build up to the opening major of the year, we take a look at how they have fared when paired together in the past…
Valero Texas Open 2013
McIlroy had already won two major titles when he was coupled with Spieth for the first time in 2013. Spieth, just months into his professional career, did outscore the Northern Irishman in the first round but went off the boil in the second, eventually missing the cut with a four-over par 76. McIlroy scored impressively across the weekend and was only denied victory by Martin Laird’s spectacular 63 on the final day.
Masters 2014
It was a different story a year later as rounds of 71 and 70 put Spieth right in the mix at Augusta. McIlroy, however, shot 77 on day two to narrowly make the cut on the mark at four over, ending the tournament tied-eighth at level par, five shots behind Spieth who finished tied-second behind winner Bubba Watson.
The Open 2014
They may have played together, but there can be no comparing the players’ performances at Royal Liverpool. Spieth made the cut with scores of 71 and 75 but finished an incredible 14 strokes adrift of McIlroy, who shot 66 on Thursday and Friday to take command of the tournament on his way to a third major title.
Players Championship 2015
Spieth’s Masters win a month earlier intensified the rivalry between the players, but their meeting at Sawgrass failed to live up to expectations. Spieth managed to miss the cut with scores of 75 and 72, while McIlroy fired his way to a top-10 finish.
PGA Championship 2015
Featuring in the marquee group alongside Open winner Zach Johnson, there was nothing to separate the world's top-two on Thursday as Spieth and McIlroy made their way round in 71. McIlroy misjudged two chips at the 18th on his way to another one-under 71 at Whistling Straits on Friday, whereas Spieth fired four birdies in six holes to card a five-under 67.
The American would go on to finish runner-up but move above the four-time major winner at the top of the world rankings, as Jason Day claimed a maiden major crown.
Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2016
Spieth became the first player to be issued with one of the European Tour's new monitoring penalties during an opening round 68, before admitting to tiredness after ending an off-key week in a tie for fifth. McIlroy followed a 66 with back-to-back 70s to head in to Sunday in a share of the lead, but once again fell narrowly short of a long-awaited Abu Dhabi victory.
Who will come out on top in the World Golf Championship opener? Watch the WGC-Cadillac Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
