Els marches into Wentworth semis

WENTWORTH, England -- Ernie Els kept alive his hopes of a seventh HSBC World Match Play title after marching into the semifinals with another emphatic win at Wentworth.

The South African thrashed Andres Romero of Argentina 6 & 5 -- the same margin by which he ended the challenge of Colin Montgomerie on Thursday.

The world No. 5 will next face Henrik Stenson, with both seeking to head the European Tour's Order of Merit by triumphing in the event.

The Swede, who won the Accenture World Match Play title in Arizona in February, trounced Anders Hansen of Denmark 7 & 6 in his second match of the day.

The 31-year-old had earlier eliminated American Woody Austin 1 up after making a 15-foot birdie putt at the last hole. They had been forced to resume on Friday when darkness brought play to a halt on Thursday with the duo all square after 35 holes.

In the other semifinal, Romero's compatriot Angel Cabrera will take on American Hunter Mahan.

U.S. Open champion Cabrera beat defending champion Paul Casey of England 4 & 3, while Mahan defeated Denmark's Soren Hansen 6 & 4.

Second seed Els also faced an opponent who had been forced to finish off a delayed match, with Romero beating Sweden's Niclas Fasth 3 & 2 with a 10-foot birdie at 16 after resuming on the 15th hole.

Romero was four holes down after going to the turn in a two-over 37, and Else -- who lives near the course and also re-designed it -- sealed victory with a 30-foot putt on the 13th green.

"I played well when I needed to," Els said, "but he didn't have his best day. I was fortunate to be four up at lunch and my short game definitely saved me. But all in all, I've got to be happy with the way things have gone."

Stenson triumphed comfortably despite seeing Hansen card a hole-in-one on the 184-yard 10th in their afternoon round.

The Gothenburg golfer fired an eight-under-par 64 to lead by four around the West Course, and had three birdie -twos after lunch.

"I have a good record and I hope I can make it even better," he said. "I've not been at my best in the last couple of month and this was the right event to get me going again."

Hansen's heroics came too late, as he was already eight down, and two holes later the match was all over.

Cabrera crushed Casey in convincing fashion, firing 10 birdies and one eagle in the 33 holes they played.

Casey, winner on his debut last year, came back from three down early on to lead by one at 15 but could not keep up his challenge.

"I lipped out too many putts," said Casey. "But he played fine golf and was always going to be tough to beat. "He didn't give me anything, but that's the way it goes and I really hope he goes on and wins it now."

Mahan, who helped the U.S. win the President's Cup last month, said: "Match play is definitely starting to suit me - it's fun.

"You look at the guy in front of you, figure how to play him and not worry about anyone else. It makes it a little easier on the mind." E-mail to a friend

All About Henrik Stenson • Ernie Els • Angel Cabrera