Taniguchi surprises Singh

Taniguchi surprises Singh
Reuters

MELBOURNE, JANUARY 4: Japan’s Toru Taniguchi staged an upset one hole win over World No. 5 Vijay Singh in the $ 5 million World Matchplay Championship on Thursday.

Taniguchi, world No. 58, led by four holes after the first nine of the second round and held on to produce the shock result of the day against the reigning US Masters champion and third seed.

Top seed Ernie Els beat Japan's Hidemichi Tanaka one-up and will meet Frenchman Jean Van de Velde in the third round after the 49th seed beat South African Retief Goosen four and three.

Fourth-seeded American Tom Lehman enjoyed a comfortable three and two win over compatriot Jeff Sluman.

Former US Masters champion Craig Stadler demolished Australian Craig Parry seven and six. Seventh-seeded American Justin Leonard had to birdie the par-three 20th before overcoming Briton Gary Orr.

Mark McNulty, who upset sixth-seeded American Stuart Cink in the first round, beat former British Open champion Paul Lawrie five and four.

The Zimbabwean arrived at the event a rank outsider, seeded 59th in the 62-strong field. He will next play Japan's Shigeki Maruyama who beat AmericanBob May at the 22nd.