Ross McGowan sprang a major surprise in the first round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship by beating the top-seed Steve Stricker.

The 27-year-old Englishman is only playing at the event because Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are absent and took advantage of his good fortune by grabbing a superb win.

He won the contest by sinking a 25-yard putt on the first extra hole and now fancies his chances of grabbing further success at the event in Tucson.

He said: "I'd say I fancy my chances and I could go all the way. I had a shaky start, but I played really nicely from about the fifth and it was quite exciting when that one dropped on 19."

He faces unknown Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa next, and added: "I don't know much about him and it's going to be interesting."

Stricker moved up to number two in the world following his success in the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles two weeks ago but Lee Westwood now has the chance to oust.

Westwood would have to secure the title to do so but he helped his chances with a fine first-round win over fellow Englishman Chris Wood at Dove Mountain on Wednesday.