Micheel Keeps Winning at World Match Play Event

One day after ending Tiger Woods’ five-tournament winning streak by knocking him out of the World Match Play Championship at Virginia Water, England, Shaun Micheel beat Luke Donald with a barrage of birdies to build a 7-up lead before holding on Friday for a 4-and-2 victory.

Joining Micheel in the semifinals was one-fourth of the European Ryder Cup team, led by Colin Montgomerie.

Montgomerie had to go all 36 holes to win his match, a 1-up victory over defending champion Michael Campbell.

Paul Casey went 22 holes before taking the lead and pulling away from 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir when he struggled with recurring back and neck problems. Casey won, 5 and 3.

Robert Karlsson, who will make his Ryder Cup debut next week, played even par over 33 holes but still had no trouble with Angel Cabrera in winning, 4 and 3.

Montgomerie next plays Casey, and Micheel will play Karlsson.

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Jim Thorpe finished with a six-under-par 66 to take a two-shot lead into the clubhouse in the rain-delayed first round of the Constellation Energy Classic at Hunt Valley, Md.

Play in the Champions Tour event was suspended after only 43 of the 79 players completed 18 holes.

The round was scheduled to be completed this morning before the start of the second round.

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Padraig Harrington and Gary Orr each shot a seven-under 65 to share the second-round lead at the Madrid Masters at 12-under 132.

Darren Clarke shot a 72 and is eight strokes back in his first tournament since his wife’s death.