BELEK, Turkey: World No. 1 Rory McIlroy’s World Golf Final showdown with 14-times major winner Tiger Woods was put on hold after play was abandoned due to storms yesterday.
McIlroy, without a win from two matches in the inaugural event after his latest defeat at the hands of 2011 US Masters champion and group pacesetter Charl Schwartzel, is bottom of his pool with Woods and Matt Kuchar on one win apiece.
Woods carded a four-under 67 to beat compatriot Kuchar by five shots before the afternoon matches were put back to Thursday when a fierce electrical storm began lashing the course.
McIlroy, who lost to South African Schwartzel by one shot, said he was determined to put on a better show against Woods after his level-par round.
“I don’t have much to play for so I would like to beat him so he doesn’t go through to the semifinals and also get some bragging rights,” McIlroy, unaware he could make the semifinals, told reporters.
If players finish level on points qualification is decided by aggregate totals over the three rounds, with McIlroy currently on five-over-par compared to Woods at five-under and Kuchar on even par.
“Bragging rights from this week will help a little bit,” added the US PGA Champion, who is looking forward to a rivalry with Woods next year.
“Of course, there is always an added edge when you play against a player like Tiger and there were a few chances this year when we could have gone head-to-head in the bigger tournaments but it didn’t quite happen.
“So I am still looking forward to next season when we can go head-to-head down the stretch.”
In Group Two, England’s Justin Rose (66) beat Ryder Cup team mate Lee Westwood (69) while US Open champion Webb Simpson carded the best score so far with a six-under 65 which earned him a win over compatriot Hunter Mahan (67).
Rose tops the standings with two points and will play Simpson (one point) on Thursday. Westwood, also on one point, next faces last-placed Mahan.
McIlroy-Woods clash on hold as storms end day’s play
McIlroy-Woods clash on hold as storms end day’s play
Alcaraz and Sabalenka set sights on Australian Open fourth round
- Spanish world number one Alcaraz came through a tough three-set arm-wrestle in round two
- Top seed Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, faces Russia-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova
MELBOURNE: Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka return to the Australian Open battlefield on Friday with fourth round berths at stake, joined in the fight by third seeds Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev.
Spanish world number one Alcaraz came through a tough three-set arm-wrestle in round two and faces another tricky encounter against French 32nd seed Corentin Moutet.
The 22-year-old has again been handed an afternoon match on Rod Laver Arena, once more following Sabalenka on to Melbourne Park’s center court.
The Belarusian top seed Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, faces Russia-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova to kick-off day six where temperatures are forecast to soar.
Alcaraz, who is bidding for a career Grand Slam of all four majors, said his testing 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 victory over Yannick Hanfmann in round two served him well.
“I’m still getting used to the conditions, getting used to playing better,” said the six-time Grand Slam winner.
“Just happy that I’m just improving every day after every match. So hopefully being better in the next round.”
Alcaraz has never gone past the quarter-finals in his four trips to Australia.
Should he beat Moutet, he will meet either American 19th seed Tommy Paul or Spanish 14th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to make the last eight once again.
Sabalenka, as the overwhelming favorite, was upset by Madison Keys in last year’s final but insists revenge is not her motivation.
“I look at each match as a new match, new opportunity. I have also been working really hard,” she said.
“For me, it doesn’t matter what was in the past. For me, it’s the new match.”
Like Sabalenka, Gauff has been impressive so far, saying she was “near perfect” in making the third round.
She faces fellow American Hailey Baptiste, ranked 70, on Margaret Court Arena.
World number three Gauff takes to the court after Russia’s three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev, who lines up against Hungary’s Fabian Marozan.
Last year’s beaten finalist Zverev has dropped a set in both his opening two matches and will have a tough encounter in an evening clash on John Cain Arena against British 26th seed Cameron Norrie.
Women’s seventh seed Jasmine Paolini and men’s 10th seed Alexander Bublik are also in action.
Home hope and sixth seed Alex De Minaur has again been awarded the night match on center court, this time against dangerous American Frances Tiafoe.
Eighth seed Mirra Andreeva rounds out the day’s action on Rod Laver Arena in a clash with Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
