Jason Day’s run at the World Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain came to an end in the semi-finals at the hands of Matt Kuchar.
The American beat the Australian 4 and 3 in cold and windy conditions on a morning when Day couldn’t find the magic he had during his earlier matches.
The Queenslander played without a birdie and notched four bogeys and a double bogey to take away any chance of a trip to the final.
“I played great golf yesterday and just came out this morning a little flat and made a lot of mental errors out there and just pretty much gave the game to Kuch,” Day said.
“I’m a little disappointed. We’ve had a long week, and it’s been, like I said, mentally and physically grinding.
“But I’ve got one more match to go, and I’m just going to try to get some sleep in and see if I can come out firing in the next round.”
Day will meet Ian Poulter in a play-off for third place in the afternoon after defending champion Hunter Mahan dispatched the Englishman by the same 4 and 3 margin.
Mahan has now gone an amazing 166 holes without trailing in this competition and will be tough for Kuchar to beat.