Hjorth gets past Francella to reach semifinals

Maria Hjorth ended Meaghan Francella’s run in the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship, beating the local favorite, 4 and 3, in the quarterfinals Saturday at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, N.Y.

With wind gusts again making club selection difficult on the hilly course, the 33rd-seeded Francella, from nearby Port Chester, fell to Hjorth after defeating No. 17 Pat Hurst, 2 and 1, in the third round Saturday morning.

The 40th-seeded Hjorth, who beat No. 24 Angela Stanford on the 19th hole in the third round, set up a semifinal match today against Ai Miyazato. The 12th-seeded Miyazato birdied the par-five 18th to beat No. 61 Amy Hung, 1 up.

In the other semifinal, No. 10 Mi Hyun Kim will play No. 22 Seon Hwa Lee. Kim, seeded highest among the remaining golfers, beat No. 15 Jee Young Lee, 1 up. Seon Hwa Lee defeated No. 35 Lindsey Wright, 3 and 2.

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Tim Herron birdied three of his last four holes to take the lead after two rounds of the U.S. Bank Championship at Milwaukee, and Tim Clark matched him shot for shot until the 18th hole, when he missed a six-footer.

Herron finished with a 65 and was at 12-under 198. Clark (66) and second-round leader Joe Ogilvie (69) were tied for second, one stroke back. Kenny Perry (67) was at nine under, and Jeff Brehaut (65) and Charlie Wi (66) were four strokes behind.