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COLIN MONTGOMERIE ADVANCES TO LAST 16 OF WGC ACCENTURE WORLD MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted by Big G under Latest Golf News, Mens Pro Golf

Colin Montgomerie advanced to the last 16 of the WGC – Accenture Match Play at The Gallery Golf Club in Tucson after beating Charles Howell 111 on the last green.

After dispatching Jim Furyk in Wednesday’s first round, the 44 year old put paid to the hopes of Charles Howell III and will now face his third American of the week, Stewart Cink, the conqueror of Open Champion Padraig Harrington in round two.

The Scotsman was joined in the last 16 by two other Europeans -  England’s Paul Casey,  and defending champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden.

Casey produced the best golf of the first round to dispatch Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, being nine under par for his 18 holes, but showed the vagaries of match play golf perfectly in his second round tie, being only one under par for 17 holes to see off Welshman Bradley Dredge 2 and 1.

In that next round the Englishman will face the dogged Korean KJ Choi who ended Ian Poulter’s brave fightback with victory on the first extra hole after Poulter had clawed back a late three hole deficit by winning the 15th, 17th and 18th holes.

Angel Cabrera and Vijay Singh were also made to battle hard by their fellow European Tour Members Luke Donald and Niclas Fasth before notching respective 2 and 1 and one hole victories. Now, in the last 16, Cabrera will face American Steve Stricker while Singh will play Australian Rod Pampling.

Completing The European Tour contingent in the last 16 was Swede Henrik Stenson who eventually came out on top on the 25th hole of a titanic struggle against South African Trevor Immelman. The defending champion will now face the rampant Jonathan Byrd in round three, the American following up his opening day 6 and 5 thrashing of Ernie Els with a 6 and 4 beating of Argentina’s Andres Romero.

Completing the last 16 line-up will be the all-American clash of Woody Austin versus Boo Weekley, World Number One Tiger Woods against Australian Aaron Baddeley – who enjoyed a walk-over after David Toms withdrew with a back injury – and another America/Australia clash with Justin Leonard facing up to Stuart Appleby, who ousted the Number Two seed Phil Mickelson by 2 and 1.