World No 2 and second seed McIlroy came from behind at the turn to beat South African George Coetzee while Westwood, who lost top spot to Martin Kaymer at this event last year, was an impressive six under par in overcoming Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts. Mizuno MP-59 Forged Individual Irons


The Worksop golfer will reach the third round for the first time in 12 attempts if he beats Swede Robert Karlsson on Thursday and he could face Tiger Woods after that.

McIlroy, who is in the same half of the draw as Westwood, also faces second round European opposition, in his case Dane Anders Hansen.

On his record, Westwood said: "You can't cruise your way into the tournament, as I do in a lot of them."

McIlroy said: "Obviously it's another incentive knowing that if you win, at the end of the week you could be world number one.

"It's just nice to get through. On that stretch (on the back nine) where I won four in a row I felt like I playedMizuno MP-59 Forged Individual Irons
. I'll need to play more of that tomorrow against Anders."

Three of the sport's top 10 are already out. Italian teenager Matteo Manassero knocked out sixth-ranked Webb Simpson and England's Robert Rock, conqueror of Woods and the world top four in Abu Dhabi last month, got the better of the eighth-ranked Australian Adam Scott.

Like Rock, Scots Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird won on the last against Justin Rose and Alvaro Quiros respectively. They now play Ryo Ishikawa and Manassero, while Rock is up against American Mark Wilson.

Woods, who lost to Thomas Bjorn in the first round last year, and lost the first two holes trailed Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano by one with four to play on Thursday, but he won the Mizuno MP-59 Forged Individual Irons and held on to squeeze into the second round where he'll meet fellow American Nick Watney who easily beat reigning Open champion Darren Clarke 5&4.

"I've got to hit the ball a little better," Woods said