Day Three Report
Top seed Henrik Stenson has set up an all-Swedish quarter final against Jonas Blixt after a spectacular victory over Thongchai Jaidee on day three of the Volvo World Match Play Championship.
The World Number Five will face his compatriot Blixt, who overcame Paul Casey at the first extra hole, after topping the Arnold Palmer Group courtesy of a 2&1 win over last year’s beaten finalist, Jaidee.
Stenson closed the game out in typically stylish fashion at London Golf Club, holing his second shot on the 17th hole for an eagle which his Thai opponent was unable to match.
Joost Luiten is the only player with a 100 per cent winning record in the field after he came from three down to beat the defending champion Graeme McDowell two up.
The Dutchman will take on Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal in the quarter finals after the Spaniard saw off Irishman Shane Lowry.
The quarter final line-up is completed by Patrick Reed and George Coetzee, and Victor Dubuisson and Mikko Ilonen.
Key quotes
Henrik Stenson
«I probably played a little bit better the first day than yesterday, but the back nine was good yesterday and today was pretty nice, as well. I got off to have a good start, but he was always hanging in there. Every time he missed the green he got up and down, and I had to make birdies to win holes which you kind of expect. I was playing nicely and he came back but I returned the favour on 17, so it was nice to not have to go down the last.»
Joost Luiten
«It’s always hard when you’re three down after eight, but you know you have ten more holes so you just try to get back on your game and hit some good shots and win some holes back. Luckily that happened for me today.»
