Louis Oosthuizen was beaten by Rory McIlroy in the first round

Rory McIlroy goes into the second round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play on Thursday trying to block out thoughts of a potential tie with Tiger Woods.

If Northern Ireland's world number 16 defeats American Hunter Mahan, Woods will be waiting for him in the third round if he gets past Tim Clark.

"That is a long way off at the minute," said 19-year-old McIlroy who has shot up to number 16 in the world rankings.

"I do not know how my match is going to go. I have to concentrate on that."

McIlroy, who is playing his first tournament as a professional in the United States, added: "And then Tiger has to get through his second round match as well.

"He seems to be playing pretty well. So we will see what happens."

Dubai Desert Classic winner McIlroy made a great start in Arizona with a 2&1 defeat of South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen to set up his date with US Ryder Cup star Mahan, who beat Mike Weir of Canada one up.

The American is looking forward to the encounter.

"It should be exciting," Mahan said. "I do not know much about him, but I know he is a great player, a young European player, probably going to be a Ryder Cupper very soon, so looking forward to it."

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