Sweden’s Henrik Stenson produced a sizzling finish of an eagle and two birdies to win his second round robin match in the Volvo World Match-Play Championship at the London Club in Kent.
Stenson, who is the current World No. 5 and top seed in the 16-player event, defeated Italy’s Francesco Molinari in coming from 3 down after four holes to win 2 & 1.
It was also revenge for Stenson after Molinari had knocked him out of the event a year ago in Bulgaria.
Visiting American Patrick Reed on route to defeating 2006 Volvo Match-Play winner Paul Casey on day of the event at The London Club. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
“I had a rocky start as I gave Francesco a couple of earlier gifts being 3 down after four especially when you talk about getting off to a good start and being up early,” he said.
“That really was not in the plan but I didn’t give up, so I was just fanning it out and I holed so nice putts, and to be eight under from nine onwards meant for another good day.
“So I am very pleased considered I came here not having touched a golf club for nearly two weeks coming here and I will take that.”
Finland’s Mikko Illonen handed defending champion Graeme McDowell a rare defeat in winning 2 & 1.
Illonen raced to be 4up after 10 holes before McDowell staged a fight back to birdie the 11th, 13th and 15th holes to be 1 down before the reigning Irish Open champion sealed his match over McDowell with a birdie at 17.
“It feels very good to beat a player of Graeme’s quality and also considering his record in this event,” said Illonen.
“I did tell people yesterday I had a good chance of winning today’s match as yesterday and the day before yesterday I did feel a lot better as I felt quite comfortable on the greens.
“So I knew if I just gave myself chances I could make birdies out there and I just needed to make a couple more today and I did that today.
“The key was to get off to a fast start and to make six birdies in 10 holes was very pleasing.”
Illonen became just one of three players to defeat McDowell in 18 matches the 2010 US Open winner has contested in the event.
Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal holed a sensational chip shot from the rough for birdie at the last hole to defeat Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher by one hole.
Larrazabal had birdied the opening two holes to race to 2up but Gallacher then birdied the third, fifth and sixth holes to go 1up.
The duo then halved the next five holes before the double Tour winning Larrazabal won the 13th and then claim victory at the last.
Frenchman Victor Dubuisson and Joost Looten of Holland remain the only undefeated players with one round remaining ahead of the top eight players advancing to Saturday’s quarter-finals.
Dubuisson was never behind in his match against Ireland’s Shane Lowry racing to 4up after 12 holes and claiming a 3 & 2 victory at the 16th hole.
Luiten was also 4up through 11 holes ahead of defeating Frenchman Alexander Levy, and last week’s Portugal Masters winner, 4 & 3.
Welshman and Ryder Cup winning hero Jamie Donaldson won his match 4 & 3 against PGA Tour based Jonas Blixt of Sweden.
And American Patrick Reed won his first match in the event handing out a 2 & 1 defeat to England’s Paul Casey, and the 2006 winner.
