oct13 hsbcsemis

Reigning World Matchplay Champion Paul Casey was unceremoniously dumped out of this year’s event at Wentworth by Angel Cabrera yesterday (Friday).

The US Open Champion came back against the English star over the 36 head-to-header to win four and tthree.

Cabrera will now play American debutant Hunter Mahan, while Sweden’s Henrik Stenson will play six-time winner, South Africa’s Ernie Els, in Saturday’s semi-finals of the HSBC.

American Mahan ended Denmark’s Sǿren Hansen’s interest with a 6&4 victory to seal his last four encounter with the big-hitting Argentine.

Els, who has a house in the course grounds, looked calm and confident as he breezed past Andes Romero six and five.

The quarter-final stage of the prestigious and historical tournament afforded the large galleries in attendance to witness some superb golf, led by Cabrera, who was 3-up inside five holes after recording two birdies and an eagle.

Cabrera said: “I had a great day and holed crucial putts at the crucial moments. I didn’t give him many chances, but he is a world class player, so I knew I had to keep focused all the time, because he could come back at me.

“But I am feeling very comfortable and I will try to keep going like this. Hunter is having a very good year, but I am feeling confident and I would love to win a big tournament like this.”

Casey was understandably disappointed to miss out on the £1million first prize. “Wat frustrated me was the three-putts, in the afternoon, where I gave him the eighth hole, and when I hit it into the ditch on the ninth again.

“That was really annoying and he didn’t give me any chances after he chipped in for a par on the 10th. But that’s the way it goes and I really hope he goes on and wins it now.”

Mahan, who beat England’s Justin Rose on day one, and said of his latest win: “I played very well this afternoon, really solid and didn’t make it easy for him. It was nice to win the first 18 and second 18. I felt like I carried on where I left off against Justin, and maybe even played a little better. I’m getting to know the course more and I like it a lot.

“The seventh hole in the afternoon was an important one. I hit it in the sand but got up and down for a save, to stop him getting another one back. That was a big hole. I had a good hole on the 9th and birdied that. I felt I had him from there.

“Yes, Angel Cabrera is playing really good right now but I’m looking forward to taking him on tomorrow. He’s playing with a lot confidence and if he’s hitting it straight with that driver, he’s going to be tough to beat, for sure. No question, he’s longer than me off the tee, but I’m not going to be trying to do that at all and try and keep up with him. He’ll be way out there – monstrous at times, so I’ll just play my own game.”

Stenson managed to knock out Hansen, twice a winner of the PGA Championship at Wentworth, including this year in May.

Stenson was delighted with the manner of his success. “I’ve not been at my best in the last couple of months, and I think this was the right event to get me going – even if I’ll be facing Ernie – the six-time winner, course designer and who lives here. Is there any more advantages we can give him?

“It’s going to be tough against Ernie, but I’ve beat him before, in Dubai this year I managed to stay ahead of him for all four rounds to win, and hope to do it again.”

Els is looking good and reckons he can go mall the way. “It’s nice to be in the semi-finals and it’s wonderful to be at home and play a great championship like this. Andres didn’t have his best game but I played well when I needed to, especially this morning, when my short game saved me.

“It should be a good match against Henrik. He’s had his battles this year but seems to be starting to play better.”

Having disposed of one Argentinian, Els is hoping South Africa will do the same in their Rugby World Cup semi-final on Sunday night. “I hope the team watched a little bit of this and that it’s the perfect inspiration for them,” he smiled.

Els has a ticket for the match at the Stade de France in Paris and hopes he will go there as the HSBC World Match Play Champion.

“I will see how everything goes this weekend. They have a nine o’clock start in France on Sunday and they have an airport there, close to the stadium. So everything is kind of organised to go!”

Cabrera vs Mahan will get underway at 8.45am on Saturday, with Stenson vs Els following at 9am. The afternoon rounds of the 36-hole contests are scheduled for 1.30pm and 1.45pm.