Webb Simpson and Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa greet each other during the third round of the World Golf Championships — Accenture Match Play Championship at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona.
MARANA: South African Louis Oosthuizen coasted in sizzling style while Americans Jim Furyk and Rickie Fowler both staged thrilling comebacks to reach the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship quarter-finals in Marana, Arizona on Friday.
Also advancing into the last eight were Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, making his debut this week in a World Golf Championships event, and Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, after a third successive Houdini-like escape at Dove Mountain.
Former British Open champion Oosthuizen, who upset top-seeded Swede Henrik Stenson in the previous round, was a flawless six under for the day when he sealed a commanding 5&4 victory over American Webb Simpson.
Oosthuizen eagled the par-five second and then added four birdies to tighten his grip on the third-round encounter.
“I’m playing some of my best (golf) now,” Oosthuizen told reporters. “I’m hitting the ball really good and just need to make the putts.”
Oosthuizen will next meet Australian Jason Day, who never trailed on the way to a comfortable 3&1 win against South African George Coetzee.
PGA Tour veteran Furyk and emerging talent Fowler also reached the last eight, but both had their work cut out.
Furyk came from three down after six holes to win a hotly contested match with compatriot Harris English one up, making sure of the win with birdies at 16 and 17 before recording a matching par at the 18th.
Fowler, who upset 2010 champion Ian Poulter and in-form American Jimmy Walker in his first two matches, rallied from three down after eight holes to pip Spaniard Sergio Garcia one up.
The American piled up five birdies in the last 10 holes to seize control and will take on Furyk in the quarter-finals.
McDowell, taken to 19 holes in his opening match and 18 in his second as he had to rally in both, came from two down after 16 holes to edge American Hunter Mahan after 21.
REUTERS
