Danny Willett was enjoying the better of things against compatriot Tommy Fleetwood as the two Englishman battled for a semi-final spot on their WGC – Cadillac Match Play debuts.
Willett, who overcame another Englishman in Lee Westwood during the morning’s round of 16, stole a march with a birdie from 13 feet on the third.
Fleetwood bogeyed the fourth and seventh after missing the green as Willett went two up, an advantage he maintained to the turn.
There was every chance Willett would be facing a third Englishman in succession if he did progress, with Paul Casey two up on Rory McIlroy through seven.
World Number One and top seed McIlroy had gone ahead with a birdie at the long first, but Casey had three birdies in four holes form the third to assume control of the match.
In the bottom half of the draw, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen was one up on Jim Furyk at the turn, having seen Rickie Fowler off on the 18th green in the morning.
American Gary Woodland looked like being the first player into the last four as he won five of the first seven holes, retaining his five up advantage through 11 holes.
