Marc Warren through to Murcar Links Semi-Final

     Marc Warren ... in last four . Picture by courtesy of Getty Images
FROM THE SGU WEBSITE
Marc Warren saved his best till last – holing out from 59 yards at the first extra hole – to knock out Tyrell Hatton and book a semi-final date against Kiradech Aphibarnrat at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play tournament at Murcar Links, Aberdeen
It was a fitting end to what had been in Warren’s own words ‘a bizzare match that had everything – pulled shots, lost balls, good golf and bad golf’.
Indeed, Hatton, who had knocked out Peter Uhlein (5 and 4) in his last 16 match earlier in the day, chipped in for the third time in the match on the 18th green to win the hole and take Warren to sudden-death but it was Scotland’s highest ranked player who had the final say as his perfect approach took one bounce before disappearing below ground to secure a victory.
Warren, who had taken down 2012 Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts 3 and 1 in the last 16 before his victory over Hatton will face Aphibarnrat in the semi-final after the talented Thai had defeated Thomas Aiken (4 and 3) and Michael Hoey (2 and 1) to make it through to the last four.
The other semi-final will feature former European Number One Robert Karlsson and David Howell, after the Swede defeated countryman and namesake Johan Carlsson (4 and 3) and Richie Ramsay (1 hole) while the Englishman took out Chris Doak (2 and 1) and Chris Wood (5 and 4).
Warren said: “That was one of most bizarre matches I’ve ever been involved in. Started the day with two poor tee shots from both of us, me first in the bunker and then he hit in the bunker right. Both chipped out and he holed it from about 100 yards for three, so that was the start to the day.
“He chipped in twice more after that, one on 18 to go to extra holes and I guess it was just my turn at the 19th to hole out. Good tee shot and holed it from 59 yards. Yeah, I don’t really know what to say. It was just really bizarre from start to finish and we were both laughing in the end.
“It had some good golf and it had some terrible golf, pulled shots, lost balls. It had a little bit of everything. I think it was only fitting that it finished with a shot like that.”
 

Marc Warren saved his best till last – holing out from 59 yards at the first extra hole – to knock out Tyrell Hatton and book a semi-final date against Kiradech Aphibarnrat at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play. It was a fitting end to what had been in Warren’s own words ‘a bizzare match that had everything – pulled shots, lost balls, good golf and bad golf’. Indeed, Hatton, who had knocked out Peter Uhlein (5&4) in his last 16 match earlier in the day, chipped in for the third time in the match on the 18th green to win the hole and take Warren to sudden-death but it was Scotland’s highest ranked player who had the final say as his perfect approach took one bounce before disappearing below ground to secure a victory. Warren, who had taken down 2012 Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts 3&1 in the last 16 before his victory over Hatton will face Aphibarnrat in the semi-final after the talented Thai had defeated Thomas Aiken (4&3) and Michael Hoey (2&1) to make it through to the last four. The other semi-final will feature former European Number One Robert Karlsson and David Howell, after the Swede defeated countryman and namesake Johan Carlsson (4&3) and Richie Ramsay (1 up) while the Englishman took out Chris Doak (2&1) and Chris Wood (5&4). Player Quotes Marc Warren: “That was one of most bizarre matches I've ever been involved in. Started the day with two poor tee shots from both of us, me first in the bunker and then he hit in the bunker right. Both chipped out and he holed it from about 100 yards for three. So that was the start to the day. He chipped in twice more after that, one on 18 to go to extra holes and I guess it was just my turn at the 19th to hole out. Good tee shot and holed it from 59 yards. Yeah, I don't really know what to say. It was just really bizarre from start to finish and we were both laughing in the end. It had some good golf and it had some terrible golf, pulled shots, lost balls. It had a little bit of everything. I think it was only fitting that it finished with a shot like that. Kiradech Aphibarnrat: “I was hitting the ball well and have some confidence from that. Today I didn't start like first three days. Normally I would start up two or three after first five holes but today was 3-down after five in the quarter final and played very well to xome back. I had to be patient and mentally strong today. It's going to be tough but getting the last was my goal, so now I just try to enjoy. I play with the local boy tomorrow, Marc Warren, so will be a tough round. But if I hit the ball like I did the first few rounds, it's going to be tough for him to beat me. Robert Karlsson: “I played reasonably well. Got a little behind in the beginning but Richie played great in the beginning, so there wasn't much to do. I kept going, made some good putts. Even on the holes he won, I tried to at least show that I was competing for the hole and not give him any easy holes. So I'm very happy with that and had a couple of bonus chip ins at the end but that happens. It must have been my day I suppose.” David Howell: “I’m slightly surprised that I ran out a 5 & 4 victory in the end to be honest with you. I was looking forward a close match. Obviously delighted it ended the way it did but I thought it was going to be a close match. Chris started off really well going 2-up early. He made a birdie and an eagle in the first four holes and I was up against it at that point but made a lovely birdie on the par 3 and that got me back in the match I felt. From then on, things went my way almost all the way in. “I think we all want to be in the final and we all want to win this championship. It's been a joy to play and everyone has enjoyed the straight knock-out match play format as it’s first time in many years we've had it on the Tour. I've enjoyed it and I know all the guys have. I would like to get to that final and have a chance to win; but should it not happen, play in a third place play-off thenso be it. World Ranking points and Race to Dubai points to play for so looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully can get the job done.” Last 16 Results: Time Player Player 07:50 AM Match 49 David HOWELL (ENG) 2&1 vs Chris DOAK (SCO) 08:00 AM Match 50 Chris WOOD (ENG) 2 Holes vs Julien QUESNE (FRA) 08:10 AM Match 51 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 4&3 vs Thomas AIKEN (RSA) 08:20 AM Match 52 Grégory HAVRET (FRA) vs Michael HOEY (NIR) 7&6 08:30 AM Match 53 Johan CARLSSON (SWE) vs Robert KARLSSON (SWE) 4&3 08:40 AM Match 54 Morten Ørum MADSEN (DEN) vs Richie RAMSAY (SCO) 1 Hole 08:50 AM Match 55 Marc WARREN (SCO) 3&1 vs Nicolas COLSAERTS (BEL) 09:00 AM Match 56 Tyrrell HATTON (ENG) 5&4 vs Peter UIHLEIN (USA)                                            Quarter-Final Results: Player Player WINNER Robert KARLSSON (SWE) 1 Hole vs Richie RAMSAY (SCO) WINNER David HOWELL (ENG) 5&4 vs Chris WOOD (ENG) WINNER Marc WARREN (SCO) 19th vs Tyrrell HATTON (ENG) WINNER Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 2&1 vs Michael HOEY (NIR) -

 SCOTT HENRY IN THE MADEIRA MIX
Meantime, Pontus Widegren is hoping to fulfil a lifelong dream by sealing a maiden European Tour victory at the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI.
But Scotland’s Scott Henry is firmly in the title hunt, just a shot behind going into tomorrow’s final round after a sizzling 65 today.
Glaswegian Henry, 28, continued his impressive form at an event in which he finished runner-up last year, losing out only in a play-off.
Having finished day two with four dropped shots in the final five holes, he birdied four of the opening five on moving day to immediately cancel out those blemishes and he is now confident he can get the job done this time around.
He said: “I played in the last group going into the final day last year, the difference being that it was only the second round, and I shot a four under round to reach nine under. If I can do something similar I think I’ll have a chance, so my caddie and I will sit down and set a target tomorrow and just try and chase that.”