Casey's perfect run ended

Winner on his debut last year and conqueror of American Jerry Kelly in the first round, Casey traded blows with the Argentine during the morning round, twice holding a one up advantage, only to trail by that margin at the lunch break.

After the interval Casey had no answer to the US Open champion, who resumed with a 20-foot birdie putt and then stretched his advantage further when Casey three-putted the 26th green and conceded the next.

Cabrera will meet Hunter Mahan in the semi-finals after the American recorded a six and four victory over Soren Hansen.

The Dane had pegged back a five-hole deficit to be three down at the break, but his fightback stalled almost immediately when he shot a bogey at the first hole of the afternoon's round. Mahan, the only American left in the field, birdied the 27th and 30th holes to increase his advantage to six up which proved a bridge too far for Hansen.

Henrik Stenson ensured he would be the only European through to the final four with a comfortable seven and six win over Anders Hansen.

The Swede had held a four-hole advantage after 18 holes and raced to eight up after 27 as Hansen's challenge faltered on the back three bogeys in four holes. There was, however, a bright spot for Hansen, bouncing a hole-in-one in at the 28th, but the damage had already been done.

Six-time winner of this event, Ernie Els, also progressed as he overcame Argentina's Andres Romero six and five - inflicting a South African triumph over Argentina just two days before the two nations are to meet in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

Four up at lunch, Els eased to seven up after 28 holes before the Argentine threatened a comeback as he reduced the arrears on successive holes. But Els kept his nerve to sink a long-range putt at the 31st to secure the win in impressive fashion.

Els and Stenson could go top of the European Order of Merit this weekend following the exits to top two Padraig Harrington and Justin Rose on the opening day.