MARANA, Ariz. – The 30 or so fans lined up around Dove Mountain’s 18th green late Saturday afternoon must have felt cheated. And just imagine how the 40 or so lined up around the 17th green must have felt?
Not one of the four Elite Eight matches made it past the 16th hole, with Lee Westwood going “the distance” against Martin Laird for a 4-and-2 victory to set up Sunday’s marquee semifinal showdown between himself and Rory McIlroy, which cruised to a 3-and-2 victory over Sang-moon Bae.
Hunter Mahan scored the day’s largest margin of victory, beating Matt Kuchar 6 and 5, while Mark Wilson beat Peter Hanson, 4 and 3.
Saturday’s action marked the first time in 14 years not a single quarterfinal match reached the 17th hole.