Austin (United States) (AFP)

Frenchman Victor Perez, Imperial on Saturday, will play the semi-finals of the World Championship (WGC) match play, against American Billy Horschel, the latter's compatriots Matt Kuchar and Scottie Scheffler, clashing in the other duel Sunday.

The Tarbais is the last European in the running.

In constant progress this year, he is now a serious contender for the next edition of the Ryder Cup, a competition between Europe and the United States, in the same format.

Very confident, he led throughout his match against Sergio Garcia, winner of the Masters 2017, on the course of the Austin Country Club, and beat him 4 and 3. He again returned a perfect card, strewn with birdies, without committing only one bogey.

Again, because earlier in the morning, he had shown the same excellence against Robert MacIntyre, who emerged victorious from the group which included world No. 1 Dustin Johnson.

The Scotsman could not do anything and lost 5 and 4, despite a beautiful eagle succeeded on the par 4 of N.13 (2 birdies, 2 bogeys along the way).

"I'm obviously very happy," agreed Perez after his second win of the day.

“I think this morning was probably the best golf I have played all week. This afternoon, after an already long day, waking up early, taking a short break - which didn't Maybe not the best thing - I felt a little lethargic. And then we had to pull ourselves together, especially as Sergio is very good at match play. "

Perez, 31st in the world, will play Sunday morning against Horschel, who follows him in the standings (32nd) and seems to his measure.

Be careful, the American knows how to go the distance: he took out on the 19th hole, in sudden death, the Englishman Tommy Fleetwood.

The other semi will pit Dallas-born Scottie Scheffler against Matt Kuchar.

The first eliminated the Spaniard Jon Rahm (world No. 3).

The second, a veteran of this last four (42 years) and winner of a WGC match play in 2013 in Arizona, he defeated his compatriot Brian Harman.

Results of the round of 16 (Saturday morning):

(Q) Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) beats Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 4 & 3

(Q) Billy Horschel (USA) beats Kevin Streelman (USA) 3 & 1

(Q) Sergio Garcia (ESP) beats Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 2 & 1

(Q) Victor Perez (FRA) beats Robert MacIntyre (SCO) 5 & 4

(Q) Scottie Scheffler (USA) and Ian Poulter (ENG) 5 & 4

(Q) Jon Rahm (ESP) beats Erik van Rooyen (RSA) 3 & 2

(Q) Brian Harman (USA) beats Bubba Watson (USA) 2 & 1

(Q) Matt Kuchar (USA) beats Jordan Spieth (USA) 1 up

Quarter-final results (Saturday afternoon):

(Q) Victor Perez (FRA) beats Sergio Garcia (ESP) 4 & 3

(Q) Billy Horschel (USA) beats Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) on the 19th hole

(Q) Scottie Scheffler (USA) beats Jon Rahm (ESP) 3 & 1

(Q) Matt Kuchar (USA) beats Brian Harman (USA) 2 & 1

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