* Kuchar too good for McIlroy
* Woods beaten by Schwartzel (Adds details, quotes)
BELEK, Turkey Oct 9 (Reuters) – World number one Rory McIlroy and second-ranked Tiger Woods slumped to opening-day defeats at the inaugural World Golf Final on Tuesday.
Northern Irishman McIlroy was beaten by American Matt Kuchar in the invitational eight-man matchplay event in Turkey while Group One rival Woods lost to 2011 U.S. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa.
In Group Two, English pair Lee Westwood (72) and Justin Rose (71) recorded respective victories over U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson (73) and fellow American Hunter Mahan (75).
The two top in each section go through to the semi-finals of the $5.3 million tournament.
McIlroy had a nightmare late spell at the Antalya Golf Club, playing the last four holes in seven-over-par to finish with a 76 against Kuchar’s one-under 70.
“I hit my drive into the trees on 15 and lost a bit of confidence,” the U.S. PGA champion told reporters.
“I now need to win both my matches tomorrow to advance. I just struggled for a bit of motivation out there today.”
Continued…
