MARANA, ARIZ. (AP) - Bubba Watson overpowered two-time champion Geoff Ogilvy on Friday and rolled into the quarterfinals of the Match Play Championship with a performance so dominant he has played only 43 holes in three days.
Ogilvy had little chance against Watson, who was 7-under par through 13 holes and ended up with a 6-and-4 win.
“He hit some great shots,” Ogilvy said. “I didn’t play that bad. I didn’t play ’6-and-4’ bad.”
Martin Kaymer of Germany, the No. 2 seed, had to rally against Hunter Mahan to reach the quarterfinals. He was 2 down with six holes remaining when he won two straight holes, pulled ahead with an 8-foot birdie on the 16th, then closed him out when Mahan hit another poor chip on the 17th hole that is sure to stoke memories of the Ryder Cup.
Meanwhile, some of the kids were on their way home from Dove Mountain.
Rickie Fowler, the 22-year-old American who gave Phil Mickelson his worst loss ever in this tournament, made a spirited rally against Matt Kuchar until losing on the 17th hole. The amazing run of 17-year-old Matteo Manassero also ended when Luke Donald built a big lead on the Italian until closing him out on 16th hole.
And the most unlikely quarterfinalist? That might be J.B. Holmes, who only got into the 64-man field Tuesday when Tim Clark withdrew. Having never seen The Ritz-Carlton Club until his opening match, Holmes beat 23-year-old Jason Day on the 18th hole.
That set up a potential power display _ Holmes against Watson, two of the biggest hitters in golf.
“It should be fun,” Holmes said. “Me and Bubba move it out there pretty good.”
In other matches:
_ Y.E. Yang advanced to the quarterfinals by winning the last three holes to beat U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, 3 and 2.
_ Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, at 47 the oldest man in the field, turned the tables on Ben Crane. One day after Crane’s 8-and-7 victory over 21-year-old Rory McIlroy, the American didn’t make a birdie until the 11th hole and lost, 7 and 6.
_ Ryan Moore beat Nick Watney in 19 holes, the only match to go overtime.
Watson’s performance has been so dominant that he has led every hole he has played for three days. He has won the opening hole all three rounds and closed out matches on the 16th hole, 13th hole and 14th hole.
He won Friday against Ogilvy, whose record in this fickle event fell to 20-4.
At the Ryder Cup, Mahan had to hole a birdie chip from short of the 17th to have any chance against McDowell. He flubbed it and wound up conceding the hole (and the Ryder Cup). On Friday, after Kaymer had missed the green long, Mahan followed him. Needing to chip close, the ball didn’t get up the hill and onto the green. Mahan chipped long and took double bogey.
Kaymer next plays Jimenez, the only player remaining who has ever been to the quarterfinals in the Match Play Championship.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.