Rory McIlroy is relishing the "dogfight" of match play golf as he prepares to tee it up at the WGC - Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club this week.
The Northern Irishman has an excellent record at the event, winning it in 2015, finishing second in 2012 and fourth last season.
He may have missed almost two months of the season so far with a rib injury, but he has shown some encouraging from since his return and has lost none of the competitive edge that has made him a four-time Major Championship winner.
"I'm too proud to be beaten," he said. "I won't let anyone get up on me. I sort of think too much of myself to let anyone do that to me.
"So that's why I've always enjoyed match play because if you do get yourself into a bit of a dogfight out there, it's something I've always quite enjoyed.
"Some guys think that you can wear your opponent down by putting them under pressure on every hole. Hitting every fairway, hitting every green and being really consistent. I think that's one way to play match play.
"But then the other way is you can be a bit erratic, but if your short game is saving you, and you're holing putts and you're getting it up and down from bad positions, that can frustrate your opponent, as well.
"I would probably be in the former of those two categories. I feel I can wear my opponents down just by hitting quality golf shots and sort of mentally beating them by them saying to themselves, 'this guy isn't going to miss a shot today', so I better be on my game. So I think that makes a good match player."
McIlroy will be up against Søren Kjeldsen, Emiliano Grillo and Gary Woodland - the man he beat 4 and 2 in the 2015 final - in the group stages from Wednesday to Friday.
The 27 year old believes the contrasting styles of those three players will test every facet of his game, but is hopeful his win two years ago can give him an edge over Woodland.
I've always enjoyed match play because if you do get yourself into a bit of a dogfight out there, it's something I've always quite enjoyed - Rory McIlroy
"Emiliano Grillo, a young player, obviously he's been doing very well this year," he said.
"Gary Woodland I played in the final in San Francisco in 2015. He's got a decent record in this event.
"And Søren Kjeldsen, who has been playing some of the best golf of his career over the last couple of years.
"Sort of three different styles of game. Emiliano, pretty similar style to me, maybe.
"Søren hits it a little shorter, thinks his way around a little bit. Has a very good short game.
"Gary hits it very long and can take advantage of the longer holes. Three good opponents and looking forward to getting out there and trying to beat them.
"I certainly hope there is some sort of psychological advantage there. I did well the last time. I hope that's still in his mind.
"But I'm pretty happy with that draw. I feel like I'm playing well enough. I feel like I can advance from that group and get myself into the weekend."
The last time McIlroy played competitive match play was at the Ryder Cup when he came out on the wrong side of a thrilling battle with Patrick Reed at Hazeltine National.
That represented his first singles defeat against the United States and he is eager to gain some revenge should the two face each other over the weekend.
"There is some unfinished business there that I would like to clear up," he said. "But we'll see what happens.
"He's played well in match play, especially in the Ryder Cup. So if it came to that and we were to face each other on Saturday or Sunday that would be awesome. Something I'd really look forward to, to try to beat him and beat him by more than one hole, just so I have a little bit of an edge. It's sort of the way it is."
