Graeme McDowell began his defence of the Volvo World Match Play Championship with victory at The London Club on Wednesday.

McDowell beat Alexander Levy 3&2 at the Kent course to give himself every chance of reaching the knockout stages over the weekend.

Also in the Gustaf Larson Group, Joost Luiten edged to victory over Mikki Ilonen.

Four of McDowell's Ryder Cup team-mates were also in action on day one at The London.

Henrik Stenson was up against George Coetzee in the Arnold Palmer Group but the World No.5's match ended all square.

Jamie Donaldson went down 2&1 to a resurgent Paul Casey, while Stephen Gallacher lost to Ireland's Shane Lowry 3&2.

However, it was a better day for Victor Dubuisson, a 3&2 winner over Pablo Larrazabal of Spain.

Thongchai Jaidee beat Francesco Molinari by two holes and Patrick Reed, who represented the United States at Gleneagles, went down 2&1 to Jonas Blixt.