Bragging rights on Rory’s radar ahead of hitting the beach

It was as though the Turkish weather was bigger than the combined presence of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods when a violent electrical storm delayed their much-anticipated matchplay showdown.

However, when play does resume today in the third round of the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final, McIlroy’s flight into the semi-finals of the €4m event in Belek already looks grounded.

McIlroy lost his second straight match, to 2011 Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel, who, in a near mirror of the manner the South African won at Augusta last year, birdied his three closing holes to beat the County Down man.