Love will face Ogilvy in Match Play final round
Davis Love III returned to the Match Play Championship final for the second time in three years, and this time he is feeling plenty of love.
Love holed out for eagle from 111 yards on the 18th hole to beat Padraig Harrington in the quarterfinals Saturday morning in Carlsbad, Calif., then buried Zach Johnson in the afternoon with six birdies on his way to a 4-and-2 victory.
Love will play the 36-hole championship match against Geoff Ogilvy of Australia, the marathon man at La Costa who won his fourth straight match in extra holes in the quarterfinals, then had an easy time in beating Tom Lehman in the semifinals, 4 and 3.
He faced elimination in the quarterfinals against David Howell until a birdie on the 18th hole sent the match into overtime, where Ogilvy won with a 20-foot birdie on the 19th hole. It was his fourth consecutive victory in extra holes, a record for the Accenture Match Play Championship.
Ogilvy already has played 95 holes going into the 36-hole match Sunday.
“There’s someone on my side this week,” Ogilvy said. “I’ve dodged a few bullets.”
Love has had a much easier time. He never trailed against Padraig Harrington in the quarterfinals, although it required an eagle from the 18th fairway. Love has played 85 holes after five matches, and has only found himself behind on four holes.
“He’s probably one of the best players in the world, and has been for 15 years,” Ogilvy said. “He’s obviously playing well.”
Champions Tour
Duffy Waldorf shot a bogey-free 65 to reach 19 under par, good for a two-shot lead over long-hitting rookie Bubba Watson after three rounds in the Chrysler Classic of Tucson (Ariz.).
Watson hasn’t made a bogey in Tucson. His 7-under 65 moved him one stroke ahead of first-round leader Mark Wilson.
LPGA
South Korea’s Meena Lee won the Fields Open in Kapolei, Hawaii, for her second LPGA Tour victory, holding off Michelle Wie in regulation and beating rookie Seon Hwa Lee on the third hole of a playoff.
The 24-year-old Meena Lee closed with a 7-under 65 to match the 20-year-old Seon Hwa Lee (71) at 14-under 202 – a stroke ahead of the hometown favorite Wie (66) – and won with a 6-foot birdie putt on the third extra hole.
Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., tied for 11th place after a 72 gave her a 208 total.