Ian Poulter leads English charge as Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Paul Casey also claim early wins at WGC-Match Play Championship England had record 10-strong contingent at the WGC-Match Play Championship Poulter relished the chance to settle a score against American Kevin Kisner Casey showed no signs of a Valspar hangover as he demolished Abraham Ancer Tom Lewis secured a a notable half against major champion Brooks KoepkaBy Derek Lawrenson for the Daily Mail Published: 21:54 GMT, 27 March 2019 | Updated: 21:54 GMT, 27 March 2019 Viewcomments We have long since ceased to be amazed by anything Ian Poulter does at matchplay — but it never does any harm to enjoy yet another choice example of his remarkable prowess at this format. On a day when England’s record 10-strong contingent at the WGC-Match Play Championship wasted no time leaving their mark in Austin, Texas, with victories for Tommy Fleetwood, world No 2 Justin Rose and Paul Casey — plus a notable half for Tom Lewis against double major champion Brooks Koepka — trust Poulter to steal the early headlines. Up against a doughty American opponent in Kevin Kisner, who beat him 8&6 in the quarter-finals last year, you could say Poulter relished the chance to settle a score. Ian Poulter relished the chance to settle a score against American Kevin Kisner It looked as if he might struggle to do so at the par-five 16th where Poulter, one ahead at the time, struck a marvellous driver off the fairway to the front of the green. Kisner, however, then holed his 80-yard pitch shot for an eagle three. All square — and Kisner with the momentum. At the par-three 17th, Kisner hit a good tee shot to 12ft, only for Poulter to strike his riposte inside him. When Kisner missed his birdie effort, you can guess what happened next. The 18th was predictable as well. A bold Poulter drive on this short par four, a pitch to 12ft and he rolled in the putt for a two-up success. ‘Kevin could sense that he was playing a different man this year,’ said Poulter, who has made an impressive start to this season with three top-six finishes to his name already. Tommy Fleetwood was first man out and recovered from early mistakes to beat Korean Ben An It was just the result he needed in a tough group that also includes two more in-form Americans in Tony Finau and Keith Mitchell. Only the winner moves on to the last 16 on Saturday. Casey could have been forgiven a reaction following his successful defence of the Valspar Championship just 72 hours earlier, but he demolished Mexican Abraham Ancer 4&2. Only Tiger Woods and Poulter have won more matches in the 20-year history of this event than Casey, and he showed his gifts once more as he never gave his young opponent a chance. Paul Casey showed no signs of a Valspar hangover as he demolished Mexican Abraham Ancer ‘Over the years, you learn little tricks in matchplay and you never lose them,’ said Casey. ‘I’m obviously on a high after the win and I’ve got a lot of confidence.’ Fleetwood was first man out and recovered from early mistakes to beat Korean Ben An. He said: ‘I feel like I’m swinging the club really well and I holed good putts at the right moments.’ Lewis is making his matchplay debut and rendered it memorable with a wonderful pitch at the 18th to three feet for a birdie and a half against Koepka. Rose made easy work of Emiliano Grillo but there was a defeat for Eddie Pepperell by Gary Woodland. Elsewhere, Europe’s Ryder Cup players began where they left off in Paris last September, with easy victories for Francesco Molinari and Thorbjorn Olesen, to add to those from the English quartet. Tiger and Rory McIlroy were both involved in scrappy matches against young Americans, Aaron Wise and Luke List respectively. Woods was one up after 14, while McIlroy won 5&4. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility