Warren holes out to beat Hatton

European Tour

Marc Warren chipped in from the fairway to beat Tyrrell Hatton in the quarter-finals of the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay on Saturday.

The Scot, who was struggling with back pain, found himself 3-down after five holes against Hatton, only to turn the tables completely, winning five of the next six holes to go 2-up.

That was far from the end of the contest, however, as Hatton staged a comeback of his own, winning two of the last three holes to get it back to all square on the 18th.

The players headed out to the first extra hole, where Warren incredibly holed out from range with his second shot for an unlikely eagle-two to win the match.

“To be fair it was one of the most bizarre matches I have ever been involved in,” Warren told the European Tour afterwards.

“It started on the first with poor tee shots from both of us into a bunker and he ended up holing out from 100 yards for a birdie.

“He hit two other chips in after that, one into 18 to go to extra holes and I guess it was just my turn at the 19th to hole out.

“It was a good tee shot and I holed it from 59 yards. Yeah, I do not really know what to say. It was just really bizarre from start to finish.”

Earlier, Warren had reached the last eight with an impressive 3 and 1 victory over Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, a former Ryder Cup star and Volvo World Match Play winner.

Colsaerts had also taken the early lead in that match, only to find himself on the receiving end of a Warren comeback.

Awaiting Warren in the semi-final is Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who followed up a 4 and 3 victory over Thomas Aiken with a 2 and 1 result over Michael Hoey.

The other semi-final will see England’s David Howell take on Robert Karlsson of Sweden.

Howell beat Chris Doak 2 and 1 in the last 16 before thrashing countryman Chris Wood 5 and 4, winning six of the last eight holes.

“It has been a joy to play and everyone has enjoyed the match play. It is the first time in many years we have had it on the Tour,” Howell said.

“I have enjoyed it and I know all the guys have. I would like to get to that final and have a chance to win.

“I am looking forward to tomorrow (Sunday) and hopefully I can get the job done.”

Karlsson first defeated countryman Johan Carlsson 4 and 3 before narrowly edging out home favourite Richie Ramsay by one hole in the quarter-finals.

Ramsay had a seven-footer to get it back to all square on the 17th, but it didn’t drop and a par at the last was enough to send Karlsson through.

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