Tiger Woods is favourite to take the $1m first prize

Tiger Woods reached the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship semi-finals with a crushing win over Ryder Cup team-mate Scott Hoch.

The world number one and top seed put in a scintillating display to dispose of Hoch 5 & 4 in Carlsbad.

He was joined in the final four by fellow American David Toms, who only 36 hours earlier had been in hospital with food poisoning.

Toms was in commanding form as he ended the challenge of compatriot Jerry Kelly with a 4 & 3 win.

Saturday's semi-final matches (6) David Toms v (31) Peter Lonard (1) Tiger Woods v (44) Adam Scott

Australia's Adam Scott, the youngest man in the field at the La Costa Resort, booked his semi-final place with a 2 & 1 triumph over Jay Haas.

But there was disappointment for Britain's Darren Clarke, who lost to Peter Lonard by one hole.

Clarke, who beat Jim Furyk in the previous round, took a commanding 3-up lead against his Australian opponent but was back to all-square after a disastrous 14th hole.

At the 16th, the Ulsterman missed an eight-foot par putt and Lonard held on to his advantage to take his place in the last four.

In only his third event since knee surgery in December, Woods has been in great form.

Eagle

He found another gear against Hoch, taking the lead at the third after a superb 50-yard pitch to 5ft set up a birdie.

Woods then took the 450-yard fourth as well when Hoch missed the green and failed to get up and down.

Hoch did make a 10ft putt at the next, but Woods replied in kind at the 7th and on the 8th.

Woods made an eagle at the 526-yard 11th, draining a 14-footer to stretch his lead after Hoch had almost holed his chip.

Hoch birdied the 13th, but the match was effectively settled when he hooked his drive at the next and had to hack out from the bank of a creek.