Darren Clarke completed a splendid days golf with a birdie three on the 16th hole to defeat World number 2 David Duval in the semi-final of the WGC Andersen Consulting Match Play Championship, and set up a Final with Tiger Woods who was eight under par in his 5&4 victory over Davis Love III.
The quarter finals had begun at first light on a sunny day in Southern California with a European interest in three out of the four matches. Open Champion Paul Lawrie took Tiger Woods all the way to the 18th, and at one point early in the back nine had a two hole lead over the World Number One. Woods won three successive holes to regain the lead which he never relinquished.
Miguel Angel Jiménez faced Davis Love III in a match where the American took an early hold and never surrendered the lead, closing out the match on the 16th.
Three birdies in the first four holes for Hal Sutton gave him an early lead in the quarter final against Clarke, 3 up after 4 holes, but Clarke fought bravely winning the 5th and steadily picking up holes until he reached the 18th at one up. A great second shot to the final hole closed out the match and set up his semi final with David Duval, who had easily overcome Scott Hoch in the remaining quarter final by 5&4.
