enhanced his chances with a pair of clutch performances yesterday at the Royal Forest of Dean golf course in Gloucestershire, England.

Talbot was successful in qualifying for today's semi-finals, but it took two remarkable performances in the first and quarter-final rounds for the former winner to advance.

The day started with Talbot having to come from five holes down during his first round encounter with South Africa's Donny Vosloo and then the Bermudian required two extra holes of sudden death to defeat Irishman Pat Fitzgerald.

While Talbot ambled out of the gate, Vosloo darted into a commanding lead, going five holes up after eight, before Talbot cut the deficit to four as the duo made the turn.

After halving number 10, Talbot grabbed the next three to pull within a single hole, but slipped at 14.

However, that setback only served to inspire the Bermudian as he captured three of the next four holes -- they halved the 16th -- for a win at the 18th.

The second match against Fitzgerald followed a different route, with Talbot this time dominating the match.

Talbot led until the 17th hole when the Irishman drew level, but after halving the 18th and the first play-off hole, Talbot finally drew the curtain on Fitzgerald's challenge, winning on the 20th.

A weary Talbot, speaking from his hotel room last night, expressed relief at surviving a nerve wracking but rewarding day. And he looked forward to his match-up today against another former winner, Dave Parsons of the Channel Islands.

"I'm very tired mentally and that first match, having to fight from so far back had a lot to do with it and how I played in the second match,'' said Talbot, who last won the title in 1991 after a previous success in 1988.

"I didn't hit the ball bad, but I wasn't as good and sharp around the greens.

"That first match really drained me, having to come from five down to win, but after a good night's sleep I'll feel better and be ready to go...right now I'm a tired man.'' The Parsons versus Talbot match-up presents the latter with the opportunity to gain revenge for a previous loss two years ago.

"I'm looking forward to it, that's for sure, but I wouldn't call it revenge,'' said Talbot. "Dave doesn't hit the ball nowhere near as long as I do, but he's very good around the greens.

"Still, if I hit the ball like I have been and can get my putting together I'll be alright. I can't go and rely on chipping, I have to hit the greens.

"I'm very much capable of winning this tournament, but playing 36 holes a day is really draining.'' If Talbot does manage to get past Parsons this morning, a likely challenge will come from two-time defending champion Mike Benning of the United States, provided he survives his own semi-final encounter.