Watson, Kuchar reach last 8
Source: Agencies |
February 27, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
LONG-HITTING American Bubba Watson became the first player to reach the quarterfinals of the Match Play Championship in Arizona after crushing Australian Geoff Ogilvy 6&4 on Friday.
Soon after, Matt Kuchar beat fellow American Rickie Fowler 2&1 in the third round and South Korean Yang Yong-eun then won 3&2 against US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.
British world No. 9 Luke Donald ended the fairytale run by teenager Matteo Manassero, beating the Italian 3&2, while pony-tailed Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez hammered American Ben Crane 7&6.
In the penultimate match of the day, German world No. 2 Martin Kaymer came from two down after two holes to beat American Hunter Mahan 2&1 in a closely fought encounter.
Watson, making his debut this week in the elite World Golf Championships event, charged three up on Ogilvy after just three holes before sealing victory at the par-four 14th.
Ogilvy, a double Match Play champion, conceded the match to his opponent after taking three shots to reach the 14th green on a sun-baked afternoon at Dove Mountain's Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.
Watson, who was effectively eight under par for the first 13 holes, had struck a superb approach there to just under four feet.
"I hit a lot of good putts, a lot of good iron shots," Watson told reporters after booking a place in the last eight against compatriot J.B. Holmes, who beat Australian Jason Day one up. "I haven't missed that many fairways, probably no more than five all three days. So it's been good so far, and I've won every time."
Kuchar never trailed in his match against US Ryder Cup teammate Fowler, going three up after 12 holes before clinching the win at the par-four 17th.
Fowler had reached the third round with a crushing 6&5 victory over world No. 5 Phil Mickelson but the 22-year-old ran out of steam against the rock-steady Kuchar.
"I think I'm lucky I didn't run into him yesterday," a smiling Kuchar said. "It sounded like yesterday he was on fire and would have cleaned me out."
Yang took control against McDowell with three birdies in the first four holes and held off a late fightback by his opponent before ending the match with a chip-in for birdie at the par-three 16th.
"It feels great to win over Graeme," said Yang. "I think my overall condition is good, and just because I won today, my condition feels better."
Soon after, Matt Kuchar beat fellow American Rickie Fowler 2&1 in the third round and South Korean Yang Yong-eun then won 3&2 against US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.
British world No. 9 Luke Donald ended the fairytale run by teenager Matteo Manassero, beating the Italian 3&2, while pony-tailed Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez hammered American Ben Crane 7&6.
In the penultimate match of the day, German world No. 2 Martin Kaymer came from two down after two holes to beat American Hunter Mahan 2&1 in a closely fought encounter.
Watson, making his debut this week in the elite World Golf Championships event, charged three up on Ogilvy after just three holes before sealing victory at the par-four 14th.
Ogilvy, a double Match Play champion, conceded the match to his opponent after taking three shots to reach the 14th green on a sun-baked afternoon at Dove Mountain's Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.
Watson, who was effectively eight under par for the first 13 holes, had struck a superb approach there to just under four feet.
"I hit a lot of good putts, a lot of good iron shots," Watson told reporters after booking a place in the last eight against compatriot J.B. Holmes, who beat Australian Jason Day one up. "I haven't missed that many fairways, probably no more than five all three days. So it's been good so far, and I've won every time."
Kuchar never trailed in his match against US Ryder Cup teammate Fowler, going three up after 12 holes before clinching the win at the par-four 17th.
Fowler had reached the third round with a crushing 6&5 victory over world No. 5 Phil Mickelson but the 22-year-old ran out of steam against the rock-steady Kuchar.
"I think I'm lucky I didn't run into him yesterday," a smiling Kuchar said. "It sounded like yesterday he was on fire and would have cleaned me out."
Yang took control against McDowell with three birdies in the first four holes and held off a late fightback by his opponent before ending the match with a chip-in for birdie at the par-three 16th.
"It feels great to win over Graeme," said Yang. "I think my overall condition is good, and just because I won today, my condition feels better."
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