Lawrie into Match Play semis

Paul Lawrie remains on course to win the Volvo World Match Play after easing into the semi-finals with victory over Retief Goosen.

The 43-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence in his career over the past 12 months and, after winning the Qatar Masters earlier this year, could be in line for a return to the European Ryder Cup team after a 13-year absence. The Scot went into this week's event at Finca Cortesin having played 499 European Tour events and would love to win another title on his 500th appearance. He took care of Thomas Bjorn in the morning round-of-16 clash, beating the Dane 5&4 to advance to the quarter-finals. And two-time US Open champion Goosen proved an even easier opponent as Lawrie pulled off a 6&5 triumph to move through to Sunday's semi-finals and a possible shot at glory. He did not drop a shot in beating the South African and it would be no surprise to see the 1999 Open Championship winner return to the winner's enclosure again on Sunday. Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell, Brandt Snedeker, Nicolas Colsaerts, Alvaro Quiros and Rafael Cabrera-Bello make up the rest of the quarter-finals and so there will be a quality line-up in the semi-finals, whoever progresses to Sunday's matches.