After going 22 holes in his quarterfinal match to end Tuesday’s 36-hole day at Spanish Hills, Dan Sullivan knew his path to a Senior Match Play Championship title was only getting tougher when he teed it up against Tim Hogarth in the semifinals Wednesday morning.

Though Sullivan found himself 4-up through 12 holes and despite a late charge from Hogarth, a three-time SCGA Player of the Year, Sullivan ended the match on the 17th hole.

Now, the only person standing in his way was Craig Davis, the reigning California Senior Amateur champion. Sullivan won three of the first five holes in the championship match to establish a cushion early.