American Scott Piercy handed out the biggest defeat so far in this year’s WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship when he pulverised England’s Luke Donald 7 & 6 to advance to the third round of the $US 8.75m event.

Donald, who started his match with a sloppy double bogey, is the fourth World No. 1, either past or present, to be thrown out of the event after Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood failed to make it past the first round in Arizona.

The 34-year old Las Vegas born Piercy capped his day when he holed a spectacular 228 yard second shot for eagle at the par-four fifth, then birdied the sixth, eighth and ninth to go 6up on Donald at the turn.

“Scott played very well, I played just very average,” said Donald who captured the event in 2011.

“I probably didn’t drive it well enough today to put any pressure on Scott.

American Scott Piercy hands out a 7 & 6 thrashing to Luke Donald. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

“He was just playing extremely solid, didn’t give me really a look. I had a few opportunities on the greens, but for whatever reason I was just not making the putts today, and hence I’m going home.

The current World No. 35 ranked Piecy is contesting the event for the first time in his career and his efforts have certainly caught many by surprise.

“I played really solid today,” said double PGA Tour champion Piercy, whose 7&6 margin of victory has been eclipsed only five times at this event.

“I hit every green in regulation. I got up early and tried to lean on him once I got up. It was just a solid day all around.

“I think he was off a little bit,” the American said of Donald who double-bogeyed the opening hole. “From the first tee shot it didn’t look like Luke. I just tried to make some birdies and stay out ahead of him.”

SCORECARD STATS: Piercy made five birdies and an eagle over 12 holes. Donald made two birdies, two bogeys and one double bogey.

HOLES WON: Piercy – seven.   Donald – zero!

NEXT OPPONENT: Former Accenture champion, Steve Stricker.