Woodland knocks out Aussies as darkness stops dramatic qtr final at WGC Cadillac Match Play Championship

American Gary Woodland has knocked out the last of the Australians at 2015 Match Play Championship.

The semi-final match-up’s are still not decided after darkness forced Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey off the golf course with their match all-square through 21 holes.

Casey looked like causing a major upset as he arrived at the 17th tee 1-up over the world number one. But the long difficult par-3 has been a tough hole all week and a bogey to Casey, combined with a great par save from McIlroy. Both players made par at the last sending the match to extra holes.

Both players came agonisingly short of winning their match on the 20th hole. McIlroy’s long birdie putt needed a few extra rolls to drop, but Casey’s birdie putt needed nothing more than a quarter of a roll.

Casey and McIlroy made matching pars before McIlroy set-up a good birdie attempt on the third extra hole. In front of very few spectators in cold, dark conditions McIlroy’s putt spectacularly lipped out meaning both players will return to the golf course at 6:45am (local time) to resume the battle for a spot in the semi-finals against Jim Furyk.

The second semi-final will be played between England Danny Willett and America’s Gary Woodland. Woodland scuttled both Australians left in the tournament in his round of 16 and quarter-final matches on Saturday.

Leishman lost his morning ’round of 16′ match 2&1 to Woodland who went on to dispatch John Senden in the afternoon quarter-finals, 5&3.

Leishman fought back from a three hole deficit through 8 holes against Woodland, squaring the match with birdie at the 12th hole. Birdies to Woodland and the 14th and 15th holes assured Woodland victory and send Leishman packing from the tournament.

Senden came from behind to beat match play specialist Hunter Mahan in his morning quarter-final match. Two holes down at the turn, Senden made three birdies in the next six holes to turn the match in his favour. Eventually winning 2&1.

Senden was on the back foot right from the first hole in his afternoon match with Woodland. The big hitting American was four-under the card through five holes to take a four hole lead, and finished off Senden 5&3 with another birdie at the 15th hole.