Clark carries South Africa's hopes

Last updated: 23rd February 2013

Tim Clark was the only South African player to advance past the second round of the Match Play Championship in Arizona.

The Umkomaaster beat Thorbjorn Olesen 3 and 2 on Friday and was in control for most of the match against the Dane.

Former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen lost in the second round to Robert Garrigus - who had previously beaten Branden Grace - while Richard Sterne lost to defending champion Hunter Mahan 4 and 3.

While Clark lost the 12th hole, he was never behind in his match and opened up a three-hole advantage after winning the 14th. Halves on 15 and 16 were then enough for him to secure the win.

"Well, it was a match I played well," said Clark after his round.

Despite being acknowledged as one of the shortest hitters on the Tour, his ball-striking was one of his strengths on the day.

"That's the best I've probably hit the ball all year, to be honest with you," he continued.

"He made a bunch of good saves the front nine, kept the match close, and then I kind of won a couple holes there, and then sort of midway through the back nine, we both started making birdies.

"It's a match that kind of changed around, but I pretty much stuck to my game plan and was able to pull it out."

The 37-year-old added that he felt in far better form than in his first round win over Adam Scott, where both played scrappily.

"I felt terrible because yesterday [Thursday] was not a good day. I didn't feel good at all."

"I don't know what it was, but I was very nervous in the match yesterday. But today was completely different, I was like a different person, very in control of my swing, and like I say, if I look back at the round, I don't remember mis-hitting a golf shot."