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Defending champion Casey dumped out at Wentworth

12/10/2007

Defending champion Paul Casey has crashed out of the World Match Play after losing 4&3 to Angel Cabrera at Wentworth.

Cabrera was three-up after the first five holes of the quarter-final clash after firing two birdies and an eagle.

Englishman Casey fought back to trail by one stroke after the first 18 holes before Argentine Cabrera clinched victory with five birdies in the afternoon session.

US Open champion Cabrera will play Hunter Mahan in the semis after the American debutant beat Denmark's Soren Hansen 6&4.

Six-time winner Ernie Els also saw off Argentina's Andres Romero 6&4. The South African will face Henrik Stenson in the other semi after the Swede defeated Denmark's Anders Hansen 7&6.

Casey, who shot 67 in the first 18 holes before being blown away by Cabrera, was furious with his display.

"I horse-shoed and lipped out too many putts, but he played fine golf and was always going to be very tough to beat," Casey said.

"What frustrated me was the three-putts, in the afternoon, where I gave him the eighth hole, and when I hit it into the ditch on the ninth again.

"That was really annoying and he didn't give me any chances after he chipped in for a par on the tenth. But that's the way it goes and I really hope he goes on and wins it now."

Meanwhile, Els said he played well in the crucial holes in his victory over Romero.

"He [Romero] didn't have his best day. I was fortunate to be four up at lunch and my short game definitely saved me," Els said.

"But all in all, I've got to be happy with the way things have gone."