New Zealand lawn bowler Shannon McIlroy has described the format at the Commonwealth Games as brutal.

Mcilroy, who is competing at his fifth Games, was knocked out of contention for a medal in the singles despite losing just one game in sectional play.

Under a new format to help streamline and speed up the competition at the Glasgow Games only the section winners advance to the semi-finals, unlike previous events where multiple players could advance.

It also meant that despite finishing tied at the top of the women’s pair, Katelyn Inch and Selina Goddard, missed out on the semi-finals on countback.

“I’m sure it will be discussed,” McIlroy told RNZ, on what the change of format may mean for the future.

“I think its pretty cut-throat to have just one go through, there are so many good players here, you could be outplayed for half an hour and then you’re out of the tournament so its pretty brutal.”

However the 39-year-old, who played his 400th game for New Zealand on Tuesday, isn’t despondent.

“We’re fortunate that the Commonwealth Games is still happening and we’re part of it.”

But McIlroy is unsure about his future in the sport.

“To be honest it all depends on my children, they’re getting to an age where they’re going to chase their sporting endeavours so if that requires me to be there then I’ll just have to see what the balance looks like and it might mean that I don’t play as much domestically.”

Mcilroy has been competing internationally for nearly 20 years. He won his first medal at the Asia Pacific Championships in 2007 and in 2016 won a singles world title.

“I can still remember the first one (international match) like it was yesterday…. I was a lot skinnier!

“To get the opportunity to play for New Zealand is incredible, I still get the same feelings as I did when I first started so that will never change.”

“Really fortunate that I’ve played with some really good players over the years that helped me get there. As long as that drive is still there and my support network still wants me to play for New Zealand then I’ll go as long as I can.”

The New Zealand mixed para pair of Kerrin Wheeler and Sonya Woodrow will play for a bronze medal.