Watson, Holmes gain quarters

February 26, 2011, 7:32pm

MARANA, Arizona (AP) — Bubba Watson overpowered two-time champion Geoff Ogilvy on Friday to reach the quarterfinals of the Match Play Championship, continuing a performance so dominant he has played only 43 holes in three days.

Watson was long and straight against his Australian opponent, who didn't have much of a chance. He was 7 under through 13 holes and had 10 feet for birdie on the 14th when Ogilvy hit into the sand and conceded the 6-and-4 win.

Watson has led every hole he's played for three days. He's also won the opening hole in all three rounds and closed out his matches on the 16th hole, 13th hole and 14th hole of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club course.

“Hit a lot of good putts, a lot of good iron shots. Haven't missed that many fairways, probably no more than five all three days,” he said. “So it's been good so far. And I've won every time, so it works out.”

J.B. Holmes also advanced, applying enough pressure on Australian Jason Day to win the last two holes and escape with a 1-up victory.

That sets up a quarterfinal between Holmes and Watson, two longhitting Americans.

“It should be fun,” Holmes said.

“Me and Bubba move it out there pretty good.''

Holmes has five of the longest drives this week, including a 400-yard shot in the opening round.

Ranked 66th in the world, Holmes didn't even get into the 64-man field until Tuesday when Tim Clark withdrew and he only saw the course for the first time the following day when he beat Camilo Villegas.

The 23-year-old Day was among several youngsters headed off the course. Matteo Manassero, a 17-yearold Italian, fell behind early against Luke Donald of England and couldn't catch up, losing when Donald made par on the 16th.

Rickie Fowler, the 22-year-old who on Thursday gave Phil Mickelson his worst loss ever in this tournament, dropped the first three holes on the back nine and lost, 2 and 1, to Matt Kuchar

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