Mcdowell downs Garcia in extra-hole thriller

CASARES: Former US Open champion Graeme Mcdowell defeated Spanish star Sergio Garcia in a thrilling extra-hole duel to reach the Volvo World Match Play Championship semi-finals yesterday.

World number 20 Mcdowell, who had knocked out England’s Richard Finch in the morning’s last 16, was forced into a 19th hole decider after missing a straightforward five-foot putt on the 18th.

Garcia wasted his reprieve, however, when he pushed his putt four feetpast the hole after the Northern Irishman had held his from five feet.

“It wasn’t exactly El Clasico and I feel like I dodged a bullet there,” said 2010 US Open champion Mcdowell.

“I kind of resigned myself to the fact that I was going home, but sometimes you have to win ugly and sometimes to win you need what just happened to me. I count myself lucky.”

Garcia shrugged off the defeat, admitting he had been happy to make the last eight after seeing off England’s Tom Lewis 4 and 3 in the last 16.

“Making it to the quarter-finals having played so badly means it was a good tournament. I had no good quality shots,” he said.

Mcdowell will face Rafael Cabrera-bello, the last remaining Spaniard, in today’s semi-finals.

Cabrera-bello came frombehind to beat compatriot Alvaro Quiros 3 and 1. — AFP