Marcel out to match Langer and Kaymer by landing home win
GERMANY’S Marcel Siem set his sights on emulating compatriots Bernhard Langer and Martin Kaymer after reaching the semifinals of the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play.
Siem defeated Belgium’s Thomas Detry 3& 2 in the last 16 at Bad Griesbach Golf Resort before recovering from two down with four to play to beat England’s Robert Rock on the 19th.
“I’m pretty knackered, I can tell you that,” said Siem, who was never ahead in the quarter-final until making a birdie on the first extra hole.
“There was a lot of concentration required, especially at the end.
“It was a very tough match against Rocky. Every time I hit a good shot he hit a better one. On the front nine both of us didn’t really play that well, but as soon as we came to the back nine we switched on and it was proper golf.”
Asked about the prospect of matching Major champions Langer and Kaymer in winning a European Tour event on home soil, Siem added: “It’s sending shivers already.
“There’s a lot of golf still to play still. But it would be fantastic if I were to win on home soil. It would be very special for me.”
Siem will face Sweden’s Johan Carlsson in the last four after the 32nd seed beat Marcus Fraser 4&2 in the last 16 and then ended England’s AnthonyWall’s hopes of a successful title defence in the quarter-finals.
Wall, who had earlier beaten Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson to record his ninth straight victory in the event, birdied the 17th to get back to all square against Carlsson, but then found the water with his third shot to the 18th and was forced to concede.
The other semi- final will see Spain’s Adrian Otaegui take on compatriot Alejandro Canizares after the pair enjoyed hard- fought quarter- final wins over
Alexander Knappe and Chris Paisley respectively.
Otaegui was three up with six holes to play before Germany’s Knappe birdied the 13th and 15th to get back to just one down, but Otaegui then drove the green on the short par-four 16th to set up a twoputt birdie which ultimately proved decisive.
The contest between Canizares and Paisley was even tighter, with Canizares having to hole from eight feet to keep the match alive on the first extra hole before a birdie on the next – the par-three 17th – sealed his progress.
The start of play had been delayed by an hour due to damage to the course caused an overnight storm, with winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour bringing down several trees – including one directly on to the ninth tee.