Golf Podium

Graeme McDowell squeezed past Spanish home favourite Rafael Cabrera-Bello with a last-hole victory in the semi-finals.

Nicolas Colsaerts, the “Belgian bomber” (biggest hitter on the European Tour), followed up a maiden European Tour title at the 2011 Volvo China Open, and a 19th hole loss in the semi-finals of the 2011 Volvo World Match Play, against eventual champion Ian Poulter, with a final hole victory against the ever-dogged Graeme McDowell in the 2012 edition.

Columbian Camilo Villegas lost 3&2 in his match against American Brandt Snedeker in their duel for a place in the final eight.

Thunderous rain forced a temporary suspension of play in the Sunday morning semi-finals but the weather remained more benign – albeit windy – for most of the afternoon.

Finca Cortesín (2009, 2011 and 2012) is the only course apart from Wentworth to host the World Match Play Championship, which dates to 1964.