Golf: McIlroy, Westwood to clash in semis

MARANA: Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, each seeking a title-win to become world number one, advanced to a semi-final showdown at the World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play Championship. World number two McIlroy of Northern Ireland defeated South Korea’s Bae Sang-Moon 3-and-2, while Englishman Westwood, ranked third, defeated Scotland’s Martin Laird 4-and-2 to set up the high-stakes last-four clash at the $8.5 million event. “It will be a great match,” said Westwood. “I hope we both play well and make lots of birdies.” Meanwhile, Hunter Mahan beat US compatriot Matt Kuchar 6-and-5 and Mark Wilson ousted Sweden’s Peter Hanson 4-and-3 in the other quarter-finals.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2012.