Tournament host Paul Lawrie delivered plenty of spark with a resounding victory on the opening day of the inaugural Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay.
Lawrie beat Frenchman Romain Wattel 5 and 4 at Murcar Links to join fellow Scots Chris Doak, David Drysdale, Richie Ramsay and Marc Warren in the final 32.
The 46 year old got off to the perfect start, firing a birdie at the first to take an early lead before Wattel levelled things up with a gain at the third.
Lawrie then won the fourth, fifth and sixth holes before taking the ninth to reach the turn with a four hole lead.
Paul Lawrie on day one 2015 Saltire Energy Match-Play. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
The 1999 Open Championship winner then followed up a birdie at the 11th with three straight pars to book his place in the second round.
The host was happy with his day’s work. He said: “I played really solid today. I hit the ball nice and straight and did not really hit it off line very often.
“The last couple of days, it has been mega busy, but I knew coming in that was all part of the deal.
“But then I knew as soon as I got to my bed last night, that was me pretty much done and I was a normal player from this morning.
“I got here nice and early, did some practise and got my head around what I needed to do today and did it.
“I’m just a normal player now – just one of the 32 that are left now. I was one of 64. Paul Lawrie
“I’m looking forward to it. I’m enjoying it. I hit the ball nice today, so long may that continue.”
Lawrie will face Doak in Friday’s second round after the 37 year old recovered from being four down after five holes against Anthony Wall.
Marc Warren defeats England’s Richard Bland in one of the closest matches on day one of the Saltire Match-Play Champioinship. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
Meanwhile Warren’s encounter with England’s Richard Bland was arguably the closest match of the opening day, with the Scot edging out his opponent on the 18th, despite finishing his round seven under par.
“It was a very good game,” Warren said. “We both played solid tee-to-green. We both putted I would say decent.
“Towards the end we both putted quite nicely and holed a couple of putts.
“It was nice and I was delighted to see my putt go in on the last.”
Earlier in the day, Ramsay fought back from three down after seven holes to beat India’s Shiv Kapur by one hole, while Jeev Milkha Singh also produced a superb comeback before beating Scott Hend by one hole to reach the last 32.
Matt Fitzpatrick, who was second in the Omega European Masters last weekend, beat Bradley Dredge 6 and 4, while Alejandro Canizares beat Lucas Bjerregaard 7 and 6 and James Morrison overcame Pelle Edberg.
* Story with thanks to www.europeantour.com
