England’s Justin Rose produced a Tiger Woods like shot to defeat the 14-time Major winning American and set up a Final showdown with compatriot Lee Westwood in the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final in Belek.
The World No. 5 ranked Rose had been behind in his match against Woods until holing a 110-yard wedge shot at the par four, 14thhole for eagle.
An embarrassed Rose then pulled his cap over his face on route to a round of a two under par 69 to defeat Woods who signed for a 70.
“When Justin birdied 13 and holed out at 14 it was the turning point in the match,” said Woods.
Justin Rose focusses on Tiger Woods’ shot in the semi-final of the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
“I was 2up at the time and all of a sudden one down with four holes to play.
“But I haven’t played since format since the Dunhill Cup in ’98 so it’s been a while, and it’s a near format as it’s never over to it’s done.
“There can be some big time swings out there, as we saw with Justin at 14, but then it was a long day.
“And it’s certainly frustrating when I’ve lost two matches by a shot but that’s the way it goes.”
After now having dealt with Woods, Rose now heads to the final ‘hungry’ to finish in front of his recent Medinah winning team mate.
“I was really struggling early on today and to can that shot at 14 was easily the turning point,” said Rose.
“In proper match-play you would only win the hole but in this format I’ve picked up two shots on Tiger and it’s help me win the match.
“So I’ve now got Lee and while it’s an all-English affair I would dearly love to win this as I want to stay fresh and I want to stay hungry for the rest of the season.
“There is very little history of Westwood and myself playing against each other but being the World No. 5 at the moment it would be great to get one over the World No. 4.”
The World No. 4 ranked Westwood set a new course record of a 10-under par 61 and defeating former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel who carded a 67 on the Sultan Course at the Antalya Club.
Westwood’s round included two eagles along with eight birdies, including a 50-footer at the last but also a fourth hole double bogey.
Westwood’s score came some five hours after he shot a 64 to defeat American rival Hunter Mahan in the morning’s weather delayed third round, and after Rose had shot a 62 in his match for then record course low.
“It was just one of those days I was on a roll,” said Westwood.
“I am just pleased to the swinging the ball well because I’ve got not hangover from the Ryder Cup, and that’s nice.
“So to shoot seven under this morning and now nine under this afternoon is very pleasing and it seemed the hole just got bigger and bigger with each hole I played, and that hasn’t happened for a while.
“It’s also very satisfying feeling to be playing in a tournament like this, and if Justin (Rose) had not beaten Webb Simpson earlier today I would not have had the opportunity to go out and shoot 61.
“So a lot of things have to go your way and I have capitalised on a bit of fortune.”
Woods and Schwartzel earned $600,000 each as semi-final losers and with Westwood and Rose head into Saturday morning Final with the chance of a $1.5m prize cheque and $1m to the runner-up.
And Woods has hinted he will consider returning to Turkey next year for the inaugural $7m Turkish Open that was announced earlier this week.
