Quarters spot sees Ross grab a Masters invite

ENGLAND’S Ross Fisher sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play AND a spot at the Masters Tournament following a composed display at Austin Country Club.

Fisher needed to reach the last-eight at this event to ensure a berth at Augusta, which begins in just under two weeks, and he managed to do just that when he holed a bunker shot on the 15th for a 4&3 victory over Bubba Watson.

He will face Hideto Tanihara for a place in the semi-finals after he defeated 2009 and 2010 finalist Paul Casey with a 2&1 success.

Meanwhile, Five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson continued to look like a man in a hurry as he cruised into the quarter-finals after seeing off Australia’s Marc Leishman 4&3 in their last-16 clash.

That means the 46-year-old has yet to be extended beyond the 15th hole so far this week after similarly impressive victories in the group stages of the £7.8-million event.

“I’m certainly a little bit worried, because I know there’s going to be a key match that’s going to go down to the last few holes,” Mickelson said.

“And I’m not as comfortable on those holes as I’d like to be.

“But I love the fact that I’m able to be rested and ready to play, because I think it’s helping me get off to a good start.”

Mickelson will face Bill Haas in the quarter-finals after Haas beat fellow American Kevin Na on the 18th.

Spain’s Jon Rahm, who has not trailed at any point in his four matches so far, was the first man into the last eight after thrashing American Charles Howell III 6&4.

And Rahm will face Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen for a place in the semi-finals after Kjeldsen, who beat Rory McIlroy in his first group match on Wednesday, defeated William McGirt 5&4.

On the other side of the draw, world No.1 Dustin Johnson remained on course to become the first player to win all four WGC titles with a 5&4 victory over Zach Johnson.

Johnson, who is seeking a third straight tournament victory, will face Sweden’s Alex Noren in the quarter-finals after Noren overcame Brooks Koepka 3&1.