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Anthony Wall among players to progress at Paul Lawrie Match Play

By Ali Stafford

Thursday 17 August 2017 18:02, UK

PASSAU, GERMANY - AUGUST 17: Anthony Wall of England is congratulated on his victory on the 18th green by Sam Walker of England (R) during round one of th

Defending champion Anthony Wall needed a final-hole birdie to progress through the opening round of the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play.

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The Englishman, who defeated Alex Noren in the final of last year's event, edged past Sam Walker 1up at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach to set up a last 32 clash with South Africa's Haydn Porteous.

Wall raced three clear inside eight holes but saw Walker respond with successive gains around the turn, only for last year's winner to post a birdie-four at the 12th to double his lead.

PASSAU, GERMANY - AUGUST 17: Anthony Wall of England during day one of the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach on August 17,
Image: Wall is chasing a third European Tour title this week

Back-to-back birdies by Walker from the 15th left the pair tied as they made their way to the last, where Wall secured victory with a long-range gain.

"I just managed to keep hold of him and it was difficult and I got my chance at the last and made three, so that was fantastic," Wall said.

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"If you've done something in that field before once or twice you can draw from that and if you have those nervous patches you can go 'I've done it before, why can't I do it again?'"

Porteous saw off Gregory Havret 2&1, as top seed Matthew Southgate won three of his first four holes on his way to a 3&2 win over Romain Wattel to secure a second round meeting with Johan Carlsson.

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Matthew Southgate is two off the lead and has not dropped a shot in 36 holes
Image: Southgate has posted two top-10s in his past three starts

Former Ryder Cup winner Jamie Donaldson posted three birdies in a four-hole stretch to dispatch Paul Peterson 2&1, while second seed Richie Ramsay was knocked out 3&2 by Tom Lewis.

Mikko Ilonen claimed the biggest win of the day by thrashing Matthieu Pavon 8&7, with Paul Dunne cruising to a 6&5 victory against Nathan Holman.

PASSAU, GERMANY - AUGUST 17: Paul Dunne of Ireland (R) is congratulated by Nathan Holman of Australia on the 13th green after winning his match during rou
Image: Dunne will play Sweden's Jens Fahrbring in the last 32

Edoardo Molinari needed a sixth play-off hole to defeat 2015 runner-up Robert Karlsson, with tournament host Lawrie also requiring extra holes to see off Peter Hanson at the 20th.

The second round will be played on Friday in Germany, with the last 16 scheduled to be held on Saturday morning and the quarter finals later that day.

Watch the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage continues on Friday from 11am.

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