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Ian Poulter continues Volvo defence, Kaymer bows out

Of the eight players to be eliminated, world number nine Martin Kaymer was the biggest name to bow out.

REIGNING CHAMPION Ian Poulter has qualified for the knockout stages of the Volvo Match Play Championship, winning 4&3 over Tom Lewis.

After leading by two at the end of the fifth hole, Poulter resisted a fight-back from his fellow Englishman to top his pool and move into the round of 16. Poulter won holes 10 through 12 as well as 14 today to claim his second victory of the round-robin stage.

Lewis remains alive in Spain despite the loss, as he defeated John Senden by one hole earlier today. The other group winners were Brandt Snedeker, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia, Paul Lawrie and Retief Goosen.

The knockout stages begin tomorrow with the round of 16 and the quarter-finals. The eight group winners will be paired with the second-placed player from a different group. Robert Rock, Camilo Villegas, Nicolas Colsaerts, Alvaro Quiros, Robert Karlsson, Robert Finch, Thomas Bjorn and Lewis all finished second in their groups.

Of the eight players to be eliminated, world number nine Martin Kaymer was the biggest name to bow out. The German was the highest-ranked player at this week’s tournament at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on Spain’s south coast.

Snedeker won a three-way playoff after all three players in his group ended with one win. After losing to Snedeker on Thursday, Bjorn hit back in Friday’s early session to win 2&1 over Branden Grace.

But when Grace defeated Snedeker 4&3 in the later session a playoff was required. Snedeker won the first extra hole to top the group and Bjorn eliminated Grace on the second playoff hole. Cabrera-Bello advanced to the knockout stages with a 4&2 win over Finch in Friday’s earlier session, while Rose defeated Darren Clarke 6&4 to clinch his spot in the round of 16.

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