BELEK, Turkey —Tiger Woods defeated Rory McIlroy by six shots yesterday at the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final, but he couldn’t take down Justin Rose in the semifinals of the rain-delayed $5.2 million exhibition featuring eight top-ranked players.
Rose beat Woods by a stroke to set up a title match tomorrow with fellow Englishman Lee Westwood, who shot a course-record 61 in the semifinals to beat 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa by six shots at the Antalya Golf Club.
The winner of tomorrow’s final gets $1.5 million, with $1 million going to the runner-up.
Rose, who holed a sand wedge for an eagle at the 14th, finished with a 2-under 69 while Woods shot a 70.
Earlier against the top-ranked McIlroy, Woods shot a 7-under 64 to win the first head-to-head match between the world’s top two players.
“I’m not that disappointed because I’ve got the afternoon off around the pool,” said McIlroy, who was cheered on by his girlfriend, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.
The Northern Irishman hit his tee shot on the first hole into the water and wasn’t under par for the round until he birdied No. 17. McIlroy shot rounds of 76, 71 and 70 — the first time he shot back-to-back scores in the 70s since finishing in 60th place at the British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s in July.
“It felt good and I really hit it good out there,” said Woods after his match with McIlroy. “My game is starting to turn around a bit and I am beginning to hit it like I did at the start of the year.”
In his victory over Schwartzel, Westwood had two eagles and eight birdies, including a 50-footer at the last. His score would have been even better if not for a double bogey at the fourth hole.
“It was just one of those days I was on a roll. I am just pleased to be swinging the ball well because I’ve got no hangover from the Ryder Cup, and that’s nice,” said Westwood, who beat Hunter Mahan by three shots in the morning match. “It seemed the hole just got bigger and bigger with each hole I played, and that hasn’t happened for a while.’’
In other early matches, Rose shot a course-record 62 to beat U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson by five strokes. Schwartzel shot an 8-under 63 to defeat Matt Kuchar by two strokes.
Woods has hinted he will consider a return to Turkey next year for the inaugural $7 million Turkish Open that was announced this week.