Stenson turns in flawless round to set up finals clash

Henrik Stenson waits his turn to play during his semi-final against Trevor Immelman at the World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona, on Saturday. PHOTO: AP

Henrik Stenson fired six birdies en route to a win over Trevor Immelman at the US$8 million WGC Match Play Championship on Saturday and set up a finals clash with defending champion Geoff Ogilvy.

Ninth seed Stenson produced a flawless performance in his semi-final as the long-hitting Swede posted a 3 and 2 victory at Dove Mountain.

Stenson, a member of last year's victorious Ryder Cup team, is seeking to become the second European to win the World Golf Championships event, joining 2000 champion Darren Clarke.

Stenson was to face Australia's Ogilvy in yesterday's 36-hole final. He polished off American Chad Campbell 3 and 2 in the other semi.

The 30-year-old Stenson got to the final in style, making three birdies in the first five holes to take a 3-up lead. Immelman won the par-4 sixth with a birdie, but Stenson won the par-4 ninth with a birdie to go 3-up again.

Immelman won the 12th with a birdie, but made a sloppy bogey at the 15th, handing the hole to Stenson, who went back to 3-up with three to play.

Stenson closed it out with a par at the next.