Westwood’s woeful record continues with loss to Watney

Never beyond the second round in 11 visits to the event now, the world No1 lost for the second year running to American Nick Watney. It was no consolation, but at least Westwood, beaten on the final green, avoided the drubbings handed out to both Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson.

McIlroy, who had a chance this week to go to world No 3 and ahead of Tiger Woods for the first time in his life, was crushed 8&7 by American Ben Crane, while Mickelson went out 6&5 to Ryder Cup team-mate Rickie Fowler.

It was the left-hander’s worst loss in the tournament, but McIlroy’s defeat was the second biggest suffered by anybody. Woods, among those beaten in the first round, thrashed Stephen Ames 9&8 in 2006.

Paul Casey, runner-up the last two years, went out as well to Australian Jason Day, but there is certain to be at least one European in tomorrow’s quarter-finals as Luke Donald and teenager Matteo Manassero won through to face each other.

Donald beat his Ryder Cup teammate Edoardo Molinari 2&1 – he was never behind – while 17-year-old Manassero, the youngest-ever player in the event, followed up his victory over Steve Stricker with a last-green success over South African Charl Schwartzel.

Westwood, two down with five to play, birdied the 14th and should have levelled on the short 16th when Watney had two in a greenside bunker, but he three-putted from under 20 feet for a half in bogeys.

Watney missed a four-footer for the match at the next, but safely two-putted the last after Westwood had failed with a 15-foot birdie attempt.

Given his status in the sport now the result went down as a surprise despite his record in the tournament, but the scorelines that had everybody talking were those involving McIlroy and Mickelson.

McIlroy’s result stunned fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell, who beat Ryder Cup team-mate and stablemate Ross Fisher to reach the last 16 for the first time.

“I can’t really get my head around that right now,” he stated. “This course sets up for the Rory McIlroy type driver of the ball and Ben Crane is not really known for length, but a guy who is just holing everything on you can wear you out.”

McDowell, after his 4&2 win, next plays Korean YE Yang, who knocked out holder Ian Poulter’s conqueror Stewart Cink.

Fowler finished off Mickelson with eagles at both the 11th and 13th – a result which coupled with that of McDowell means Europe will have the world’s top three on Sunday night for the first time since 1992.

It could even be the top four if Donald wins the title. Should that happen he might move ahead of McDowell into third.