Johnson set to face Tanihara
Miami, March 26: Topranked Dustin Johnson won twice in impressive fashion on Saturday to advance into the World Golf Championships Match-Play Championship semifinals, where he will face 60th-ranked Japan Tour star Hideto Tanihara.
Reigning US Open champion Johnson defeated fellow American Zach Johnson 5 and 4, then birdied to win three of the last four holes and hold off Swedish eighth seed Alex Noren 3 and 2 in the quarter-finals at Austin (Texas) Country Club.
Johnson seeks his third title in a row after wins last month at Riviera and three weeks ago at the WGC Mexico Championship. He could become the first player to win every WGC event and match Tiger Woods as the only players to win consecutive WGC events.
“It’s a long way to go. I’ve got to make it to the finals first,” Johnson said of his chance at history. “Anything can happen. I like the way I’m playing. I like my chances.”
He will face a determined longshot in 38year-old Tanihara, who dispatched England’s Ross Fisher 4 and 2 in the quarter-finals after defeating England’s Paul Casey 2 and 1 in the round of 16.
“There’s a lot more strategy and thinking in playing this kind of format,” said Tanihara, a 14-time Japan Tour winner in his WGC Match Play debut who hopes to crack the world top 50 and qualify for the Masters in two weeks.
“My goal is to get to the Masters. Maybe top eight would get me in. Wasn’t sure. Top four should get me in so I’m really happy.”
US 42nd seed Bill Haas held off a late charge by countryman Phil Mickelson to defeat the fivetime major winner 2 and 1 and reach a Sunday semifinal against 22-yearold Spaniard Jon Rahm, the 21st seed who routed Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen 7 and 5.