Tiger Woods beats Rory McIlroy by 6 strokes in Turkey

Tiger Woods beat Rory McIlroy by six strokes Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the World Golf Final, turning the first head-to-head match between the world’s top two players into a one-sided contest.

McIlroy, No. 1 in the world, was eliminated from the $5.2 million exhibition after slumping to a third consecutive group match defeat on a day of low scoring at the Antalya Golf Club.

Woods shot 7-under 64 for a second straight victory and will face Justin Rose of England in the semifinals later Thursday.

“It felt good and I really hit it good out there,” said Woods, who won just a half-point from four matches in the U.S. team’s loss to Europe in the Ryder Cup last month. “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.”

Rose shot a course-record 62 to beat U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson by five strokes and also stay perfect in the event, which has a first prize of $1.5 million.

McIlroy will leave Turkey with a check for $300,000 but still has to return on Friday for a pro-am involving all eight competitors after the final.

Source AP