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.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Graeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA Tour
Lee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European Tour
Sam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA Championship
Defending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA Tour
English rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
News
We’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.