Poulter, Colsaerts lose on 1st day of World Match Play Championship

Published January 13, 2015

Ryder Cup winners Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts were the unexpected losers on the first day of the World Match Play Championship.

Poulter was handed a 3 and 2 defeat Thursday by Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee on the Gary Player-designed Thracian Cliffs course in the first major tournament held in Bulgaria.

Poulter says: "I got off to a good start with birdies on the first three holes and it was then a combination of a couple of mistakes and handing Thongchai too many holes."

Defending champion Colsaerts was never in front against Branden Grace, with the South African winning 4 and 3.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell — the highest ranked player in the field at No. 8 — also recorded the biggest victory in defeating England's Chris Wood 5 and 3.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/poulter-colsaerts-lose-on-1st-day-of-world-match-play-championship