World number one Lee Westwood made a winning start to his Volvo Match Play Championship campaign.
The Englishman opened his campaign by shooting six birdies in a convincing 6&5 victory over Denmark’s Anders Hansen at the Finca Cortesin GC in Andalucia, Spain.
Westwood moved in front with a birdie at the fifth and a win was never in doubt as he clinched four-successive hole victories to end the match at the 13th hole.
Miguel Angel Jimenez was also in fine form as he eased to a 6&5 success against Charl Schwartzel, who missed the green on the opening hole and failed to get back into the match.
World number two Luke Donald sank a 40-foot birdie putt at the 15th as he closed out a 4&3 win over Ryan Moore, while Rory McIlroy chipped in at the final hole to snatch a one-hole win over Retief Goosen.
DAY ONE RESULTS
Francesco Molinari MATCH HALVED Ian Poulter
Miguel Angel Jimenez 6&5 Charl Schwartzel
Alvaro Quiros 3&1 Paul Casey
Rory McIlroy 1HOLE Retief Goosen
Graeme McDowell 3&1 Louis Oosthuizen
Martin Kaymer 2&1 YE Yang
Luke Donald 4&3 Ryan Moore
Lee Westwood 6&5 Anders Hansen
