Kim to meet Fisher in World Match Play final

CASARES, Spain -- Ross Fisher beat Masters champion Angel Cabrera on the third playoff hole Saturday to set up a World Match Play Championship final against Anthony Kim.

Fisher won 1-up after Cabrera needed five shots to reach the green on the final hole. Fisher had sent his second shot from 244 yards within five feet of the pin in fading light at the Finca Cortesin golf course.

Kim advanced by beating Robert Allenby 5 and 4. Kim, who beat the Australian 5 and 3 at the Presidents Cup, rallied from an early two-hole deficit before pulling away from the 27th hole when he holed an approach from 101 yards out.

The American first overcame an errant tee shot on the 26th to save par and halve before holing out from 101 yards for an eagle at 27. He sank a birdie putt on the 28th for a four-hole advantage.

“That was the hole that really sealed it for me,” the 24-year-old Kim said of his par save on the 26th hole.

Fisher sank birdie putts at the 32nd and 33rd holes to get ahead before Cabrera forced the playoff by sending his second shot from the thick grass at the last hole within five feet of the pin. Fisher missed his birdie attempt from off the green to set up sudden death.

Both players missed winning putts on the first playoff hole.

Although the 27th and 28th holes proved key to Kim's victory, the 26th was just as crucial as the American barely held on to his driver with the ball sailing left into the bushes.

After taking relief, Kim eventually pitched to two feet for his par while Allenby missed a chance to trim the deficit to one hole by flubbing a chip and then pushing his birdie putt wide.

Kim was elated at the 27th - a short par 4 - after his sand wedge landed a few feet long before back-spinning into the hole. He then sank his birdie putt for a four-hole advantage over Allenby, who missed from four feet at the 28th.

Allenby missed several opportunities to get within one before Kim pushed out.

Kim cruised from the 30th after taking a 5-up advantage.

“This is a very big tournament for me because it's been a very tough year,” said Kim, who a day earlier won his last hole to ensure his place in the last four. “It's very rewarding to come out here ... and put on a good show.”

Fisher, who finished fourth at the Accenture Match Play Championship earlier this year, finally got ahead on the 25th hole before going 2-up after 27.

“I fought back really well in the morning to give myself a great chance in the afternoon,” Fisher said.

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 Kim to meet Fisher in World Match Play final 
Ross Fisher of England hits out of a bunker on the 15th hole during the semifinal of the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Casares, southern Spain, Saturday, Oct. 31. (Reuters)



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