History will be made at glorious Wentworth Club in the final of the Cisco World Match Play Championship as Ian Woosnam of Wales attempts to become the oldest winner since the tournament’s inception in 1964 while Padraig Harrington aims to lift the crown for Ireland for the first time.
Woosnam, at 44, is two years older than the 1998 champion, Mark O’Meara, but aged has clearly not diminished his natural talent. The tenacious little Welshman despatched defending champion Lee Westwood by 10 and 9 in a one-sided semi-final over the sun-dappled West Course.
Harrington, 14 years his junior but still lacking the wealth of experience which Woosnam has accumulated, ended the dream of Sam Torrance when he ground down the 48 year old European Ryder Cup captain with relentless doggedness, eventually winning his tie by 4 and 3.
Now the stage is set for an intriguing confrontation between the man who has seen and done it all against the younger opponent whose best years are, in all probability, still ahead of him.
Woosnam, who played all four rounds when he became the first British winner of the title in 1987, is now convinced that history can repeat itself, albeit that his stocky frame has many more miles on the clock and he hasn’t entered a winner’s circle in the past four years.
“I would certainly have settled for 10 and 9. Not a problem” he said with a smile. “That’s nine holes less than I might have expected to play. I think it’s important to conserve energy and I was pleased getting the match over so quickly.”
Woosnam was round in 66 in the morning as Westwood toiled to find his touch and with a seven hole lead at that stage, the afternoon round became virtually a formality. He added: “I went the full distance in 1987 and it would be terrific if I could do it again. I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. If I lose, I lose.”
Westwood accepted his fate with good grace and said: “I was brought up to take it on the chin and accept defeat gracefully. I just played like an idiot and he played great. There is nothing else I could do.”
Torrance, two up on Harrington after 15 holes, lost the 16th and 17th then was hit by a barrage of exquisite golf at the start of the second round. The Irishman launched his offensive with three birdies in the first four holes to establish a four hole lead which he seldom looked like relinquishing.
Torrance birdied the seventh and eighth to stage a mini recovery but Harrington had enough in reserve to clinch a solid victory. He commented: “I didn’t realise there hadn’t been an Irish winner before but I will be out there for purely selfish reasons tomorrow.
“I felt under pressure. Sam had been playing so well I didn’t see him making any mistakes and I knew I had to do something to get back at him. I was very lucky to get back two holes before lunch. To be level after 18 was a big bonus and I took the momentum into the start of the second round.”
Torrance, who had anticipated spending the week lounging on the sofa watching the event on TV, can now get his wish. However he admitted: “I played well and the best part of the week was how I performed. Woosie obviously played well in his match and it will be a great final.
“He has a class swing and he likes these marathons – 36 holes, he just grinds it out and hits good shots all day and it’s very tough to compete against someone playing like that.”
