Kuchar advances to Match Play final

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

By DOUG FERGUSON

MARANA, Ariz. (AP) Matt Kuchar is in the final of the Match Play Championship for the first time.

Kuchar seized control Sunday morning by winning three holes in a four-hole stretch and polished off Jason Day of Australia, 4 and 3. Kuchar has reached at least the quarterfinals in each of the last three years in this World Golf Championship.

In the other semifinal match, Hunter Mahan was 4 up with four holes to play over Ian Poulter. Mahan is trying to join Tiger Woods as the only repeat winner of the Match Play Championship. Mahan has not trailed since the sixth hole of his first-round match a year ago.

The final day brought more strange weather when a frigid wind arrived as the semifinal matches were making the turn.

Updated February 24, 2013