Golf-Kim to meet Fisher in World Match Play final (Reuters)
October 31, 2009
By Norman Dabell
CASARES, Spain, Oct 31 (Reuters) – American Anthony Kim andBriton Ross Fisher, making their debuts in the World Match PlayChampionship, will meet in Sunday’s 36-hole final.
Ryder Cup player Kim crushed Australian Robert Allenby 5 & 4and Fisher won a marathon struggle with U.S. Masters championAngel Cabrera at the 39th hole.
Kim beat Allenby 5 & 3 in a Presidents Cup singles matchearlier this month when the pair were involved in amuch-publicised spat.
The mood between them on Saturday was less than cordial, Kimoften trying his opponent’s patience by not conceding shortputts or conceding them after the Australian had marked and waspreparing to putt.
After finishing the 18-hole morning session all-square, Kimpowered to victory on the back of another wonder shot.
He claimed his semi-final spot by crashing a three-woodapproach to just four feet on the final hole on Friday to edgeout Australian Scott Strange.
This time it was Kim’s sand-iron that worked a minor miracleas he holed out from 100 yards on the ninth for an eagle twowhich took him three ahead.
The 24-year-old American was let off the hook on theprevious hole after driving into the Andalucian wilderness andtaking a penalty shot.
FLUFFED CHIP
Instead of losing the hole, a second fluffed chip by Allenbyallowed Kim to match the Australian’s par.
“I think the eighth really sealed it for me. The ninth was alittle bit extra,” Kim told reporters.
“Robert had gifted the seventh to me so that string of holesreally helped me out.”
Allenby criticised Kim for staying out late before theirPresidents Cup match.
“I’m going to get some real rest tonight,” the American saidon Saturday. “I need to get my legs into some hot water, I feellike I’ve been back-packing all week.”
Cabrera and Fisher were also all-square in the morning, withthe Englishman hitting back over the closing holes from threedown.
The afternoon session swayed backward and forward, withFisher ahead by a hole going to the last.
Cabrera’s closing birdie then set up extra holes, all playedover the long 18th.
A stunning approach to the green at the third time of askingin the playoff, while Cabrera did not find it in three, endedwith the Argentine conceding defeat.
“I fought back really well in the morning and then hung in,”said Fisher. “It means a lot to beat the Masters champion, hehits the ball miles and shows no fear.”
(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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