Poulter stays on track as three major champions go out in Spain
updated 6:48 PM EDT, Fri May 18, 2012
Ian Poulter is all smiles during his afternoon victory over Tom Lewis at the Volvo World Match Play Championship.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Ian Poulter into last 16 at Volvo World Match Play Championships in Spain
- Former World No.1 Martin Kaymer goes out after two defeats
- Darren Clarke and Charl Schwartzel also exit at group stages
- Jason Dufner leads way at Byron Nelson Classic at halfway
(CNN) -- Defending champion Ian Poulter eased into the last 16 of the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain as three major champions exited Friday.
Matchplay specialist Poulter once again showed his liking for head to head competition with a 4&3 dismissal of 21-year-old English hopeful Tom Lewis.
It enabled Poulter to top his group, but Lewis also qualified after beating Australian John Senden in his opening match in the morning.
Ryder Cup star Poulter will now face Alvaro Quiros while Lewis has a daunting test against another star Spaniard in Sergio Garcia.
"It's always nice to play well over the first couple of days, and I'll be going into the weekend with that mind set and rather than obviously playing okay," Poulter told the official European Tour website.
Monty: Difficult time for Tiger
The home challenge at Finca Cortesin has also been bolstered by Dubai Desert Classic winner Rafael Cabrera-Bello, who booked his passage with a 4&2 morning win over Richard Finch.
England's Finch returned in the afternoon to beat former World No.1 Martin Kaymer of Germany by one hole.
It earned him his last 16 place, but 2010 U.S. PGA champion Kaymer exited after two defeats.
Following him out was last year's British Open champion Darren Clarke, who was beaten by England's Robert Rock in the morning before slumping 6&4 to Justin Rose.
Last year's U.S. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa joined them on the sidelines after squaring his match with Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium.
It left them in a sudden death play off to decide who went through with Colsaerts making a birdie three at the first to march on.
In the Byron Nelson Classic on the PGA Tour, Jason Dufner led the way at halfway on seven-under 133 at the Four Seasons Resort in Texas.
He headed a six-strong chasing group on six-under which included last week's Players Championship winner Matt Kuchar.
Defending champion Keegan Bradley was one shot further back while Phil Mickelson carded a 69 to be on one-under after two rounds.
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