Howell continues superb form

David Howell produced another stunning performance to defeat Chris Wood in the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play last-eight.

The semi-finalist defeated Scotland’s Chris Doak, who knocked out the host on Friday, earlier on in the day 2&1 and continued his brilliant form in his second match on Saturday.

Wood, who ousted Frenchman Julien Quesne in the last-16, took an early two-hole advantage by winning the third and fourth, but this seemed to spur his fellow Englishman into life.

Howell won seven of the next 10 holes in a run that included a fantastic eagle at the par four 11th and the 40-year-old, who has not won on the European Tour since success in the 2013 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, is now just two victories away from the title.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner is the only Englishman left in the tournament, after Tyrrell Hatton was knocked out by second seed Marc Warren after the duo required a 19th hole to complete proceedings.

The Scot earlier beat Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts 3&1 and will now take on Thailand star Kiradech Aphibarnrat in the semi-final on Sunday after the latter scraped past Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey 2&1.

Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, who defeated compatriot Johan Carlsson 4&3 in the previous round, will go up against Howell in the second of the last-four matches after recording a one-hole victory over Scot Richie Ramsey.

Tagged Chris Wood, David Howell, European Tour, Paul Lawrie Matchplay