McDowell edges Garcia in thriller

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

CASARES: Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell defeated Spanish star Sergio Garcia in a thrilling extra-hole duel to reach the Volvo World Match Play Championship semi-finals on Saturday.

World No 20 McDowell, who had knocked out England’s Richard Finch in the morning’s last 16, was forced into a 19th hole decider after missing a straight-forward five-foot putt on 18th. Garcia wasted his reprieve, however, when he pushed his putt four feet past the hole after the Northern Irishman had held his from five feet.

“It wasn’t exactly El Clasico and I feel like I dodged a bullet there,” said 2010 US Open champion McDowell. “I kind of resigned myself to the fact that I was going home, but sometimes you have to win ugly and sometimes to win you need what just happened to me.”

Garcia shrugged off the defeat, admitting he had been happy to make the last eight after seeing off England’s Tom Lewis 4 and 3 in the last 16.

McDowell will face Rafael Cabrera-Bello, the last remaining Spaniard, in the semi-finals. Cabrera-Bello came from behind to beat compatriot Alvaro Quiros 3 and 1. The Dubai Desert Classic winner was three down after seven, but won six holes out of eight on the back nine for a memorable victory.

“I got to play with a friend in Alvaro. I’m very happy for me but I feel sorry for him, and he’s such a good guy,” said the 27-year-old, who beat Robert Karlsson in the morning.

The other semi-final sees 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie, playing in his 500th European Tour event, facing Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium. Lawrie, currently fifth in the Ryder Cup points table, defeated Thomas Bjorn 5 and 4 in the last 16 before seeing off South Africa’s Retief Goosen 6

and 5. Colsaerts defeated Brandt Snedeker of the United States 4 and 3 in the quarter-final match.

Dufner clings on to lead

Irving: American Jason Dufner fired a one-under par 69 to keep a one-stroke lead after the third round of the PGA Byron Nelson Championship but Vijay Singh and Jason Day are among those hot on his heels. Dufner completed 54 holes on eight-under par 202 at the $6.5 million event, one stroke ahead of compatriots JJ Henry and Dicky Pride and Australian Day with Fiji’s Singh on 204 and Aussie Marc Leishman and Swede Jonas Blixt on 205.