McIlroy, Woods lose in Turkey

Published: October 10. 2012 4:00AM PST

Woods

BELEK, Turkey — The anticipated matchup between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods today may not count for much after both lost their opening matches at the eight-player World Golf Finals.

McIlroy lost to Matt Kuchar by six shots and Woods fell to Charl Schwartzel by one shot on Tuesday in the $5.2 million event at the Sultan course in Antalya.

In the other group of the medal match-play format, Lee Westwood beat Webb Simpson by one shot and Justin Rose defeated Hunter Mahan by four strokes.

McIlroy and Woods — ranked No. 1 and No. 2 — face each other today in the last of their three group matches, but both could already be eliminated by then. The top two in each group will advance to the semifinals.

In this morning’s matches, McIlroy will face Schwartzel and Woods will play Kuchar.

Woods and Schwartzel were all-square going to the 18th when the American went into a greenside bunker and finished with a bogey.

McIlroy unraveled against Kuchar with a triple bogey at the 15th hole and double bogeys at 16 and 17.

“I hit a drive into the trees on 15 and lost a bit of confidence," McIlroy said. “I need to win both of my matches tomorrow if I am to advance. I just struggled for a bit of motivation out there, so I need to go out and concentrate on both of my matches tomorrow."

The winner of the event,, sponsored by Turkish Airways, will receive $1.5 million.

— The Associated Press

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