For a third day running Graeme McDowell came from behind to stun Hunter Mahan and set up a quarter-final clash with Victor Dubuisson at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
Having been three down with three to play against Gary Woodland in round one and two down with four holes remaining against Hideki Matsuyama before winning at the 18th yesterday, the Northern Irishman was again on the ropes at two down with two to play against Mahan, the player he famously beat to secure The Ryder Cup in 2010.
But two closing birdies saw the former US Open Champion force extra holes, and a 15 foot birdie putt at the third after Mahan found a greenside bunker sealed a last-eight spot for the Volvo World Match Play champion.
The only time the McDowell has led a match all week has been on the final hole and afterwards he said: "It's entertaining for sure but I'd much rather have it much easier, believe me."
"I can't get my head around it. I was pretty sure I was beat against Gary Woodland, yesterday I thought I had a chance and today walking off the 16th green I thought I was beat again.
"The par save on the second play-off hole was just ridiculous [he holed from 20 feet there]. I can't believe it really, I have just robbed three players at this tournament and I can't believe I am still in it."
France’s Dubuisson avoided a similar comeback in his tie with Bubba Watson – the Turkish Airlines Open winner clinging on for a one up victory after being three up with four to play.
The 23 year old is making his World Golf Championships debut, and his good performance could help edge him towards another – at The Ryder Cup in September.
"I'm definitely ready because I have good experience of match play as an amateur," said Dubuisson, who started the week second in the points race. "I hope the three matches I have won will help me get into the team."
Rickie Fowler and Jim Furyk also one by a one-hole margin to set up an all-American quarter-final in the Ben Hogan bracket.
Ernie Els produced a brilliant approach to within two feet at the 18th to see off Jason Dufner, and the South African will face Jordan Spieth after the American knocked out defending champion Matt Kuchar 2 and 1.
The day’s most comprehensive winner was Louis Oosthuizen, who recorded a 5 and 4 victory margin against Webb Simpson and now faces Australian Jason Day.
Sergio Garcia bowed out after an extraordinary act of sportsmanship against Fowler, who ultimately birdied the 18th to seal a hard-fought victory.
Garcia had needed a drop away from a colony of bees on the edge of the sixth green, where he was heard saying to the rules official: "I don't want to hit the shot, I've had bad experiences with bees."
And clearly feeling that he had taken too long to play his second shot, Garcia then offered Fowler a half on the next hole, despite the Spaniard facing five feet for par and Fowler more than three times that distance.
Garcia did win the eighth to move three up, but Fowler went on to birdie the ninth, tenth, 16th and 18th.
"I don't regret it at all, he played much better than me on the last ten holes and he deserves the win," Garcia said. "This is a gentleman's game and lately it hasn't felt like it's been like that.
"This is the way I was brought up by my dad; I felt like my drop on six took too much time. If I had been in his position I would not have enjoyed waiting so long to hit my birdie putt after the great shot he hit.
"I thought it was the only thing I could do on seven to make myself feel better and not feel guilty about anything. I was playing as hard as I could and got three up but he started making birdies and I wasn't able to keep up."
Fowler admitted he was not initially sure what Garcia was proposing, adding: "I had to find out what he was asking or offering there, it took me a few (seconds) to kind of realise. It would be stupid not to take a half.
"He said, 'You wanna halve?' I didn't know what he meant. I thought maybe he had a sandwich."
