Westwood and Rose tee-up $1m final reward

McIlroy lost all three of his group games in Antalya, including by six shots to Tiger Woods yesterday morning, but was more than happy to spend the afternoon on the beach with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki instead of contesting the semi-finals.

Those came down to clashes between Woods and Rose and Westwood and Charl Schwartzel, with Westwood following his morning 64 against Hunter Mahan with a stunning 61 – which included a double bogey – to beat the former Masters champion Schwartzel by six shots.

And Rose then turned around his match with Woods in spectacular fashion, recovering from two behind after 12 with a birdie on the 13th and an eagle on the 14th, where his approach pitched just inches from the hole and span back into the cup.

Both players then birdied the par-five 16th and when Woods missed from 15ft for birdie on the last to force sudden death, Rose was certain of a seven-figure payday.

First prize today is $1.5m (£935,000) with $1m (£623,000) to the runner-up, while Schwartzel and Woods collected $600,000 (£374,000) as losing semi-finalists.

Westwood holed from 15ft for an eagle on the third, but double-bogeyed the next after hitting a flyer over the green which finished up against a tree.

However, he then holed a bunker shot for a birdie on the sixth and drove the green on the short par-four ninth to set up another eagle, while he also chipped in for another birdie on the 13th for good measure.

“It was just one of those days where I got on a roll and the hole started to look bigger and that’s not happened for a while,” said Westwood, who has been working hard on his short game with former European Tour professional Tony Johnstone.

“It was pretty special stuff.

“I’m just pleased to be playing well and getting back in the swing of things after the Ryder Cup, with no hangover from that.”

Asked about being guaranteed $1m in the final, Westwood added: “I hadn’t really thought about that.

“It’s nice obviously. I have been successful in golf and done very well, and I am in the fortunate position now of going to tournaments with the sole purpose of trying to win.

“I know what a luxury I have to play this game and play it for fortunes – it’s not often you see me miserable is it? I try and play with a smile because I know how lucky I am.”

Rose also had reason to smile after carding a 62 in the morning to beat US Open champion Webb Simpson and following it with victory over Woods.

“It was a great day,” said Rose, who was stunned to learn Westwood had shot 61 in the trickier afternoon conditions.

“It was an ugly match until the end.

“It was hard to come out and get a rhythm going this afternoon for the both of us.

“It felt like the Ryder Cup to be honest, the transition between morning and afternoon felt difficult there and today.”