Justin edges Woods to set up showdown with Westwood

BELEK (Turkey): England’s Justin Rose produced a Tiger Woods like shot to defeat the 14-time Major winning American and set up a showdown with compatriot Lee Westwood in the World Golf final on Thursday.

Rose, the World No. 5, was trailing in his semi-final tie against Woods until holing an improbable 110-yard wedge shot at the par four, 14th hole for an eagle.

An embarrassed Rose then tried to cover his face with his cap en route to a round of two under par 69 to defeat Woods who signed for a 70.

“When Justin birdied 13 and holed out at 14 it was the turning point in the match,” said Woods.

“I was two up at the time and all of a sudden one down with four holes to play. But I haven’t played this format since the Dunhill Cup in ‘98 so it’s been a while, and it’s a neat format as it’s never over until it’s done.

“There can be some big-time swings out there, as we saw with Justin at 14, but then it was a long day.”

After having dealt with Woods, Rose now heads to the final “hungry” to finish in front of Westwood, his European Ryder Cup winning team mate.

“I was really struggling early on today and to can that shot at 14 was easily the turning point,” reflected Rose.

“In proper match-play you would only win the hole but in this format I’ve picked up two shots on Tiger and it’s helped me win the match.

“So I’ve now got Lee and while it’s an all-English affair I would dearly love to win this as I want to stay fresh and I want to stay hungry for the rest of the season.

“There is very little history of Westwood and myself playing against each other but being the World No. 5 at the moment it would be great to get one over the World No. 4.”

Westwood secured his passage to Friday’s final when setting a new course record of a 10 under par 61 to defeat former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel who carded a 67 on the Sultan Course at the Antalya Club.

Westwood’s round included two eagles along with eight birdies, including a 50-footer at the last but also a fourth hole double bogey.

Westwood’s score came some five hours after he shot a 64 to defeat American rival Hunter Mahan in the morning’s weather-delayed third round.

Woods had earlier easily accounted for world number one Rory McIlroy in the first ever matchplay showdown between the pair to reach the last four.

Woods was always ahead, shooting a seven-under-par 64 to McIlroy’s one-under-par 70.

Rose, meanwhile, defeated reigning US Open champion, Webb Simpson with a new course record of nine-under-par 62, compared to Simpson’s 67.

McIlroy, who had already lost his opening two matches, began horribly against Woods when he found the water off the opening tee and he did not drop below par for the round until he birdied the 17th hole.

McIlroy said he was now looking forward to time away from the course despite having to return on Friday for a Pro-Am involving all eight players.

“I just came here because I have never played in Turkey and there is a lot of good players here, and I thought it would be a fun week and it has been.

“So I’ve enjoyed myself. I feel fine and the energy levels are okay and I’ve got another week off next week before I get myself up for the Race to Dubai.”

However, McIlroy’s immediate concern is getting a Russian visa so he can accompany girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki to Moscow, where the Danish tennis star will be contesting the Kremlin Cup next week. — AFP

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