• Volvo World Match Play Championship, Day Three

McDowell edges Garcia to secure semis spot

Graeme McDowell edged a tight match with Sergio Garcia © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: McDowell holds nerve to book place in final
  
• News: Poulter crashes out on bad day for English golfers
  
• Profile: Rafael Cabrera-Bello | Nicolas Colsaerts | Sergio Garcia | Guillermo Garcia-Lopez | Paul Lawrie | Graeme McDowell | Alvaro Quiros

Graeme McDowell held his nerve to sneak past Sergio Garcia and book a last-four berth at the World Match Play Championship in Spain.

McDowell had a great chance to avoid extra holes but missed a five-footer for the match, which was nip and tuck the whole way through, at the last. Upon returning to the same hole, Garcia became the favourite when faced with a 15-foot putt for victory but he rolled his effort four feet past the hole.

McDowell drained his five-footer to put the pressure back on the home favourite, and it was the Spaniard that buckled, failing to sink his attempt as the 2010 US Open champion advanced.

"It wasn't exactly El Clasico and I feel like I dodged a bullet there," McDowell said. "I kind of resigned myself to the fact that I was going home, but sometimes you have to win ugly and sometimes to win you need what just happened to me. I count myself lucky."

Paul Lawrie continued his fabulous run at Finca Cortesin, taking the scalp of Retief Goosen 6&5. Lawrie, fresh from beating Thomas Björn 5&4, was in dominant form once again, not dropping a shot en route to a comprehensive win over two-time US Open champion Goosen.

Next up for the Scot is Nicolas Colsaerts, who is through to the last four for the second year running after downing Brandt Snedeker 4&3.

Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello was forced to come from behind before prevailing against compatriot Alvaro Quiros, who dumped out defending champion Ian Poulter earlier on Saturday.

Cabrera-Bello was three down at one stage but he battled back to all-square before he won three holes in a row from the 15th to stun his compatriot and go through 3&1.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.