McDowell survives, somehow, as Match Play whittles down the final 8 players

George Coetzee, of South Africa, reacts on the 17th hole, as he lost his third-round match against Jason Day, of the United States, at the Match Play Championship golf tournament Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Marana, Ariz. Day won 3 and 1. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (The Associated Press)

Bubba Watson lines up a putt on the 16th hole in his third-round match against Victor Dubuisson, of France, during the third round of the Match Play Championship golf tournament on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Marana, Ariz. Dubuisson won 1-up. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (The Associated Press)

MARANA, Ariz. – Not even Graeme McDowell can believe he's still alive in the Match Play Championship.

For the third straight round, McDowell pulled off another improbable escape to advance to the quarterfinals Friday at Dove Mountain. This time, all he had to do was win the last two holes against Hunter Mahan to force overtime and make a 20-foot par putt to stay in the match on the 20th hole. He won with a birdie on the 21st hole.

In three matches, McDowell has played 58 holes and has never had the lead until he won.

Jordan Spieth beat Matt Kuchar. Ernie Els ousted Jason Dufner, Victor Dubuisson beat Bubba Watson, and Rickie Fowler won on the last hole against Sergio Garcia. The other winners were Louis Oosthuizen and Jason Day.