NORTHERN IRISHMAN GRAEME MCDOWELL booked his place in the semi-finals of the World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria on Saturday.
McDowell will be joined by South African pair Thomas Aiken and Branden Grace, and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the last four after the quartet enjoyed good days at the Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort in Kavarna.
On a day in which all round of 16 and quarter-final matches were played, 2010 US Open champion McDowell was most impressive at the European Tour event.
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The world number eight began his day with a one-hole victory over American Bo Van Pelt, which came thanks to a superb start.
McDowell won four of the first five holes and built up a significant advantage, which was enough to see him home despite a strong finish from his opponent.
The 33-year-old then edged defending champion Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium 2 and 1 in their quarter-final.
Colsaerts took an early lead but McDowell won four holes between the fourth and the eighth to again move well ahead.
The Belgian – who was team-mates with McDowell at the 2012 Ryder Cup – responded in good fashion but his opponent’s putt on hole 17 saw him claim a terrific win, setting up a semi-final against Grace.
Grace started with a comfortable 4 and 3 triumph over Australian Brett Rumford before he toppled Englishman Chris Wood 2 and 1.
Aiken had to go to a play-off hole to edge Irishman Shane Lowry in the round of 16 and he backed that up with a 3 and 2 success against Italy’s Francesco Molinari.
Jaidee’s route to the semi-finals saw him defeat Swede Peter Hanson in 21 holes before he cruised past Scotsman Scott Jamieson 4 and 3 to secure a berth in the last four.
Aiken will play Jaidee in Sunday’s other semi-final.
McDowell on song for Europe in World Match Play
NORTHERN IRISHMAN GRAEME MCDOWELL booked his place in the semi-finals of the World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria on Saturday.
McDowell will be joined by South African pair Thomas Aiken and Branden Grace, and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the last four after the quartet enjoyed good days at the Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort in Kavarna.
On a day in which all round of 16 and quarter-final matches were played, 2010 US Open champion McDowell was most impressive at the European Tour event.
The world number eight began his day with a one-hole victory over American Bo Van Pelt, which came thanks to a superb start.
McDowell won four of the first five holes and built up a significant advantage, which was enough to see him home despite a strong finish from his opponent.
The 33-year-old then edged defending champion Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium 2 and 1 in their quarter-final.
Colsaerts took an early lead but McDowell won four holes between the fourth and the eighth to again move well ahead.
The Belgian – who was team-mates with McDowell at the 2012 Ryder Cup – responded in good fashion but his opponent’s putt on hole 17 saw him claim a terrific win, setting up a semi-final against Grace.
Grace started with a comfortable 4 and 3 triumph over Australian Brett Rumford before he toppled Englishman Chris Wood 2 and 1.
Aiken had to go to a play-off hole to edge Irishman Shane Lowry in the round of 16 and he backed that up with a 3 and 2 success against Italy’s Francesco Molinari.
Jaidee’s route to the semi-finals saw him defeat Swede Peter Hanson in 21 holes before he cruised past Scotsman Scott Jamieson 4 and 3 to secure a berth in the last four.
Aiken will play Jaidee in Sunday’s other semi-final.
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Branden Grace Brett Rumford European Tour Eurovision Golf Graeme McDowell Review Scott Jamieson Thomas Aiken Thongchai Jaidee Volvo World Match Play Championship