Graeme McDowell began the defence of his title in perfect fashion with victory over the in-form Alexander Levy in the Volvo World Match Play Championship at the London GC on Wednesday.
McDowell, who fought back from three down to beat Jordan Spieth in the opening singles match in Europe's Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles last month, was again in the first match out but this time was never in trouble against his French opponent, who won the rain-shortened Portugal Masters on Sunday.
Four birdies in the first six holes helped McDowell into a comfortable lead and although Levy kept his hopes alive with a birdie to win the 13th, McDowell crucially matched another Levy birdie on the 15th before completing a 3&2 victory on the next.
"There are no easy matches and you can't take anyone lightly, especially a guy who won last week, so I'm very happy to get the victory," McDowell said. "I was hot on the greens and he was cold and that was the difference.
"It's important to control your own destiny in the group stages, you don't want to be relying on other people and if I can win tomorrow I will be a in great position."
Elsewhere, Shane Lowry beat Stephen Gallacher 3&2 and Paul Casey edged Jamie Donaldson 2&1. Thongchai Jaidee was a two-up winner over Francesco Molinari while Joost Luiten squeezed past Mikko Ilonen one-up in a high-quality tussle featuring 12 birdies and one eagle.
World number five Henrik Stenson finished all square with South African George Coetzee while Frenchman Victor Dubuisson eased past Spain's Pablo Larrazabal 3&2 and Swede Jonas Blixt defeated American Patrick Reed 2&1.
