2/22/2014

McDowell Makes More Magic

Getty Images
Graeme McDowell came from behind once again to reach the WGC World Match Play quarter-finals with a win over Hunter Mahan after 21 holes.

The Northern Irishman fought back from two down with two holes to play before beating Mahan on the third extra hole.

He will now face France's Victor Dubuisson, who beat Bubba Watson, in the last eight.

McDowell won the last two holes against Mahan to square the match and, after saving par on the second extra hole, won it with a birdie on the third.

He came from three down with three to play to beat Gary Woodland in round one and came back from two holes behind on the 14th to win on the final green against Hideki Matsuyama.

McDowell, whose win over Mahan sealed the 2010 Ryder Cup for Europe, said: "It's entertaining but I'd rather have it easier, believe me.

"I was sure I was beaten against Gary Woodland and walking off the 16th I thought I was beaten again.

"I've just robbed three players at this tournament and I can't believe I'm still in it."

Oosthuizen powered past Webb Simpson 5&4 and he will meet Australian Day, who George Coetzee 3&1.

Els beat Jason Dufner on the final hole and Spieth beat fellow American Matt Kuchar 2&1.

After overcoming Harris English, Furyk meets Fowler, who beat Sergio Garcia on the final hole.

Garcia pulled off a surprise on the seventh hole when he conceded a 20-foot par putt to Fowler when the Spaniard, who had a four-footer for par, had a chance to move three holes ahead.

Fowler won the match with a birdie on the last but Garcia, who felt he had held play up as he waited for a drop on the sixth, insisted he was not sorry for halving the seventh.

"I don't regret it at all. He played better on the last 10 holes and deserved it. It's a gentleman's game and lately it hasn't felt like that.

"This is the way I was brought up playing golf by my dad. It was the only thing I could do to make myself feel better [after the sixth]."

Bobby Jones Group:
L Oosthuizen (SA) bt W Simpson (US) 5&4
J Day (Aus) bt G Coetzee (SA) 3&1

Ben Hogan Group:
J Furyk (US) bt H English (US) 1up
R Fowler (US) bt S Garcia (Sp) 1up

Gary Player Group:
E Els (SA) bt J Dufner (US) 1up
J Spieth (US) bt M Kuchar (US) 2&1

Sam Snead Group:
G McDowell (NI) bt H Mahan (US) 1up (21 holes)
V Dubuisson (Fr) bt B Watson (US) 1up

Quarter Finals
Louis Oosthuizen v Jason Day
Rickie Fowler v Jim Furyk
Ernie Els v Jordan Spieth
Graeme McDowell v Victor Dubuisson


Enhanced by Zemanta