World Match Play Tournament Final Pits Els Vs. Singh

Ernie Els holed a 6-foot birdie putt to tie the match on the 36th hole and a 40-footer on the first playoff hole Saturday to beat Nick Price in the semifinals of the World Match Play Championship at Virginia Water, England.

It was Els’ 11th victory without a loss in the tournament and he will be seeking his fourth straight title today against Vijay Singh.

Singh, leading at one point by eight holes against Brad Faxon, beat the American 4 and 3 in the other semifinal.

The results set up a replay of last year’s final, won by Els 3 and 2.

“I thought I had let this one slip away,” Els said. “But he (Price) opened the door for me at the 18th, and I was lucky enough to make that putt.

Els was 8-under for 37, Price was 7-under and Singh was 10-under through 33 holes. Even Faxon, who was 2-over after the first nine, was 5-under for the next 24.

Duffy Waldorf added another stroke to his lead with a steady round of 69 at the Michelob Championship in Williamsburg, Va., to move closer to his second career PGA Tour victory.

Waldorf, the leader since he tamed the River Course at Kingsmill Country Club with an 8-under-par 63 Thursday, made three birdies and one bogey for the second straight round for a 201 total and a three-shot lead.

Former Pullman resident Kirk Triplett, Grant Waite, Fred Funk and David Duval were all at 204.

Dave Eichelberger shot a 4-under-par 68 to take a one-stroke lead over DeWitt Weaver after the second round of The Transamerica senior tournament in Napa, Calif.