Golf - World Match Play:American Anthony Kim and England's Ross Fisher, making their debuts in the World Match Play Championship, will meet in tomorrow's 36-hole final at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Malaga, Spain.
Ryder Cup player Kim crushed Australian Robert Allenby 5 and 4 while Fisher won a marathon struggle with Masters champion Angel Cabrera at the 39th hole.
Kim beat Allenby 5 and 3 in a Presidents Cup singles match earlier this month when the pair were involved in a much publicised spat.
The mood between them today was less than cordial, Kim often trying his opponent's patience by not conceding short putts or conceding them after the Australian had marked and was preparing to putt.
After finishing the 18-hole morning session all-square, Kim powered to victory on the back of another wonder shot.
He claimed his semi-final spot by crashing a three-wood approach to just four feet on the final hole yesterday to edge out Australian Scott Strange.
This time it was Kim's sand-iron that worked a minor miracle as he holed out from 100 yards on the ninth for an eagle two which took him three ahead.
The 24-year-old American was let off the hook on the previous hole after driving into the Andalucian wilderness and taking a penalty shot.
Instead of losing the hole, a second fluffed chip by Allenby allowed Kim to match the Australian's par.
"I think the eighth really sealed it for me. The ninth was a little bit extra," said Kim.
"Robert had gifted the seventh to me so that string of holes really helped me out."
Allenby criticised Kim for staying out late before their Presidents Cup match.
"I'm going to get some real rest tonight," the American said yesterday. "I need to get my legs into some hot water, I feel like I've been back-packing all week."
Cabrera and Fisher were also all-square in the morning, with the Englishman hitting back over the closing holes from three down.
The afternoon session swayed backward and forward, with Fisher ahead by a hole going to the last.
Cabrera's closing birdie then set up extra holes, all played over the long 18th.
A stunning approach to the green at the third time of asking in the play-off, while Cabrera did not find it in three, ended with the Argentine conceding defeat.
"I fought back really well in the morning and then hung in," said Fisher. "It means a lot to beat the Masters champion, he hits the ball miles and shows no fear."
The winner of the final takes home €750,000 and the runner-up €450,000.
