Warren wins match with hole-out eagle

England’s Chris Wood looked to turn a flying start into a place in the third round of the inaugural Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay at Murcar Links on Friday. After Hatton had stayed alive by chipping in for birdie at 18, Warren finally slammed the door shut by holing his second shot from 59 yards to seal victory with an eagle-2.

Warren was three down to Hatton after five holes but had just reduced his deficit on the sixth before receiving treatment for a back problem from a European Tour physio beside the green. The 34-year-old was still 2up with three to play but eventually needed victory via a playoff after Hatton won 16 and 18.

“It was one of the most freakish games I have ever been involved in”, he said.

“It was a good tee shot and I holed it from 59 yards”.

Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, who defeated compatriot Johan Carlsson 4&3 in the previous round, will go up against Howell in the second of the last-four matches after recording a one-hole victory over Scot Richie Ramsey.

“I’ve enjoyed it and I know all the guys have”.

“I’m fairly surprised to run out a 5&4 victor because I thought it was going to be a close match and Chris went two up early with a birdie and an eagle”, Howell said. The start is important, trying to get up early and keep the pressure on and I haven’t been down in any match so far.

“I played awful in the pro-am and did not sniff making a birdie but match play is a different thing and it’s great to be in this position”. I’m not really too bothered, to be honest, about losing.

He added: “I think we all want to be in the final and we all want to win this championship”. (Saturday) afternoon was just one of those ones that wasn’t to be.

Campillo halved his deficit by winning the eighth and ninth with birdies only to drop a shot on the 10th and fall three behind with just eight holes remaining.