Poulter in early lead

Ian Poulter took an early lead in his second round match against Bradley Dredge at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona.

In an all-British battle, both players birdied the par five first hole, before Poulter won the par four second on another crisp winter's morning at the Dove Mountain course near Tuscon.

He needed only a par to take a one-stroke lead, because Welshman Dredge pulled his drive into trouble and was unable to advance his second shot to the green. He pitched his third to 25 feet, but missed the par putt.

They halved the third hole with pars for Poulter to remain ahead by the smallest of margins in the first of 16 matches in the World Golf Championships event.

In the second match, South African Trevor Immelman got away nicely, going one up after two holes against American Chris DiMarco, while Swede Niclas Fasth led by one after one hole against South African Retief Goosen.

Eleven Europeans were left in the field after Wednesday's opening round, one more than the host country.

There had been four first round matches pitting a European against an American, and the European won each one as the the recent Ryder Cup dominance appeared to carry over into individual competition.

The second round draw threw up three matches with a European against an American as Justin Rose faced Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia was up against Charles Howell and Padraig Harrington took on Stewart Cink.