Westwood sets up Spieth clash
Lee Westwood earned a remarkable comeback win to set up a knockout match with Jordan Spieth at the WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship.
The Englishman came back from three behind to edge Mikko Ilonen at TPC Harding Park on Thursday.
“I was getting walloped after seven holes really, Mikko was four under and playing great,” the 42-year-old told Sky Sports
“I was still three down after nine, but I needed to do something good and made a few birdies on the back nine. I hit a poor shot at 17 and found a horrific lie and I got a bit fortunate at the last, but we all miss short putts sometimes.”
The win earns Westwood a winner-takes-all match against Masters champion Spieth. The American was under pressure early on from Matt Every, who lead by two. But the 21-year-old rallied to take the lead by the turn and extend it on the back nine. Spieth’s putter was running hot as he sank no less than ten straight one putts.
“Jordan is obviously playing very well and is probably the hottest player in the world at the moment, but when you are the favourite the pressure is all on you,” added Westwood.
Meanwhile, day two had some high level casualties. Defending champion Jason Day lost to South Africa’s Branden Grace, which sees him bow out of the tournament. World number three Henrik Stenson won his tie with Brendon Todd, but John Senden will advance due to his earlier win over the Swede.
Also out of the running are former world number one Adam Scott as well as Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter, who all failed to win a match at the event.
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