Wood, Fitzpatrick advance at Paul Lawrie Match Play

Published August 05, 2016

English golfers Chris Wood and Matt Fitzpatrick secured easy first-round wins at the Paul Lawrie Match Play on Thursday as they look for a victory to cement a place in Europe's Ryder Cup team for the first time.

Wood recovered from losing the first hole to Brett Rumford and won 4 and 3, while Fitzpatrick powered into a 6-up lead after nine holes before closing out a 4-and-3 win over Thomas Bjorn.

Wood is the top-seeded player at Archerfield in Scotland and, like Fitzpatrick, currently occupies a spot in the European team for the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine next month.

Tournament host Paul Lawrie advanced to the last 32 by beating Lucas Bjerregaard 4 and 2. Renato Paratore of Italy was the biggest winner, beating Stephen Gallacher 7 and 6.

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