Friday 1 May 2015 07:24, UK
Lee Westwood pulled off a remarkable comeback to set up a winner-takes-all showdown with Masters champion Jordan Spieth at the WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship.
Westwood was three down to Mikko Ilonen at the turn after the Finn carded three birdies in four holes, but the English veteran was gifted wins at the 10th and 12th before he birdied 13 and 14 to go one up.
He converted an excellent approach to seven feet at the 16th to double his lead, and although he bogeyed the next to hand Ilonen a lifeline, Westwood's par at the last was enough for victory after his opponent missed a four-foot putt to extend the contest.
"I was getting walloped after seven holes really, Mikko was four under and playing great," Westwood told Sky Sports 4. "I was still three down after nine, but I needed to do something good and made a few birdies on the back nine. I hit a poor shot at 17 and found a horrific lie and I got a bit fortunate at the last, but we all miss short putts sometimes.
"Jordan is obviously playing very well and is probably the hottest player in the world at the moment, but when you are the favourite the pressure is all on you."
Spieth also had to come from behind against Matt Every, but the world No 2 turned a two-hole deficit into a one-hole lead with four consecutive birdies to close out the front nine.
The world No 2 continued his stunning form on the greens as he nailed further birdie putts at 11 and 12, and he wrapped up another convincing win on the 15th green.
Spieth had further cause for celebration after it was confirmed that Austin Country Club will host the WGC-Dell Match Play for four years from 2016.
The WGC-Cadillac Match Play is being played this week at Harding Park in San Francisco, but it was announced in March that the tournament would move to the Austin area under new sponsors Dell.
Spieth said: "I couldn't be more excited and proud that my second home, Austin, Texas, is going to host the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play at the great Austin Country Club.
"I know that my peers, the Americans and the international players, are going to love the Austin feel, the crowds and Austin Country Club itself."
Live coverage of day three in San Francisco begins Friday at 10pm on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
