Golf-Spectacular three-wood seals Kim’s semi-final slot (Reuters)
October 30, 2009
* American denies Strange with last-hole wonder shot
* Allenby, Cabrera and Fisher also reach semis
By Norman Dabell
CASARES, Spain, Oct 30 (Reuters) – Anthony Kim’s dramaticfinishing flourish on Friday sent the American into the lastfour of the World Match Play Championship.
Kim will be joined in Saturday’s 36-hole semi-finals atFinca Cortesin by Australian Robert Allenby, U.S. Masterschampion Angel Cabrera and Briton Ross Fisher.
Scott Strange birdied six of the first eight holes on theway to a three-hole victory over Kim that left the Australianagonisingly one hole short of winning their round-robin group.
The difference was down to the 18th. Four down after missinga two-foot putt on 16, Kim looked out.
The American though produced the shot of the week at thepar-five last when his three-wood from 274 yards finished fourfeet from the pin.
When Strange took four to find the green he conceded Kim’seagle putt and his place in the semi-finals.
“I ran into a buzz-saw today and it was pretty tough to hangin there,” Ryder Cup player Kim told reporters. “I hadn’t playedbadly … and I was three down.
“I found something on 18 when I needed to. When Scott laidup I knew I was going to have to go for it. The club was justthe right number.”
Kim now plays Allenby, the player who criticised him forstaying out late before their recent Presidents Cup singles.
“I’ll be in bed by 9.30,” joked the American.
Allenby’s two-hole win over Briton Oliver Wilson left himthe only undefeated player in the field.
TOUGH GIG
“Tomorrow will be a tough gig against Anthony but it doesn’tmatter who you are up against, you have to play your best golf,and I have done so far,” said the Australian.
Compatriot Geoff Ogilvy declined his spot here to play inthe Singapore Open instead, letting in Allenby.
“I’ll be raising a glass to Geoff especially if the next twodays go well,” added Allenby.
Cabrera’s power proved too much for Briton Simon Dyson as heromped home by seven holes to win his group.
The Argentine has decided to compete in next week’s WorldGolf Championship event in Shanghai to ensure he plays therequisite 12 European Tour events to qualify for the Dubai WorldChampionship in November.
This week proved a disappointing one for the top four in theRace to Dubai money-list as Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, RoryMcIlroy and Paul Casey went out.
Fisher can leap from seventh to fourth on the money-list ifhe wins on Sunday, after his one-hole defeat of India’s JeevMilkha Singh took the Englishman through.
“The Race to Dubai is huge and I’m a bit behind so it’sgreat for me to get into the semis,” said Fisher.
“It can be even better if I can now play 72 holes offlawless golf.”
(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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