Padraig Keeps Cadillac Chance

Getty Images

Padraig Harrington's first-round exit at the Accenture Match Play Championship has not cost him a place in the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami.

Harrington was knocked out by Graeme McDowell but other results in Tucson meant the Dubliner remains in the world's top 50 - by 0.019 ranking points.

Swede Alex Noren and South African Tim Clark earned places at Doral by climbing to 48th and 49th respectively at the expense of Dane Thomas Bjorn and American David Toms.

Harrington's fellow Irishman Shane Lowry missed out - his victories over world number one Rory McIlroy and Carl Pettersson were not enough.

Lowry needed to make the semi-finals, but was knocked out in the third round by McDowell.

He will have to turn his thoughts now to trying to make the top 50 by the end of March to qualify for a debut in the US Masters at Augusta on April 11-14.

Related articles

• Clash of the Irish at WGC
• Lowry Earns GMAC Test
• McDowell Proves Lowry Match
• Lowry Wins McIlroy WGC Duel
• Day Ends for McDowell
• McDowell ends Lowry's run through Match Play

Day Ends for McDowell

Getty Images

Graeme McDowell’s best display in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship ended at the quarter-final stage as the Northern Irishman was beaten one up by Jason Day.

Having seen off fellow Irishman Shane Lowry – the man who took down World Number One Rory McIlroy in the first round – at the start of the day, the Australian proved a step too far for the former US Open Champion.

McDowell went one up when his opponent conceded the first, and doubled his advantage at the third when he followed a magnificent tee shot with a successful 15 foot birdie putt.

However, The Ryder Cup star had to deal with consistently being 20-30 yards back from his opponent off the tee, and three bogeys in his next four holes allowed Day to draw level.

The 25 year old went ahead for the first time at the 11th, but missed a six footer at the 16th to leave matters all square again.

McDowell’s errant tee shot at the next prove costly, though; he was unable to salvage par from the left rough and when his birdie effort drifted by at the last Day was left with a simple three foot par putt for the contest.

Day will face Matt Kuchar in the semi-final after the American ended the challenges of Nicolas Colsaerts and Robert Garrigus on day four.

“It was very stressful out there today,” said Day. “I feel like my mind is going every which way right now. 

“Just to play the way I did on the back nine was very, very special. The whole game today felt really, really nice, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. 

“Myself and G-Mac, we really didn't play our best, but you've just got to do enough. 

“I've got Matt Kuchar tomorrow, and I know he's very slow and steady, hits a lot of fairways and greens and can roll the rock when he can, and I'm looking forward to that.”

Related articles

• Two major scalps put Day into last four
• Lowry Earns GMAC Test
• Clash of the Irish at WGC
• McDowell ends Lowry's run through Match Play
• Graeme McDowell the last of the Irish; Steve Stricker celebrates birthday with big win
• McDowell ends Lowry's run through Match Play