( CNN ) -- Things might be a bit frosty between Graeme McDowell and Gary Woodland in Lake Nona for a little while . The 2010 U.S. Open champion from Northern Ireland lives on the same Florida street as his American counterpart , they often practice together , and they flew out to the Arizona desert together . But that did n't stop McDowell staging a dramatic comeback to win their opening round encounter at the WGC Accenture World Match Play . Woodland was four up at one stage , and three holes up with three to play , before a string of errors opened the door for McDowell . And the 34-year-old needed no second invitation , winning the final three holes , then the first extra hole , to take his place in the second round . `` I 'm sure he 's extremely disappointed right now -- and I 'm extremely elated , '' McDowell told the tournament 's official website . `` I thought it was over . You 're not coming back from three down against a guy that 's playing as well as him . Yeah , I 'm still going to try to hit my shots . But it required a mistake from him to give me half a sniff , even . `` I 'm surprised to be sitting here , having won . Yeah , I hit a couple of quality shots down the last couple of holes , but he had mistakes , as well . It 's a brutal format . `` It feels like a Sunday afternoon on Wednesday . '' English duo Ian Poulter and Luke Donald -- both former winners of the event -- were two high-profile casualties in Arizona , dumped out by two men over ten years their junior -- Rickie Fowler and Matteo Manassero . Poulter , who claimed the title in 2010 and is regarded as one of the finest match players in the game due to his Ryder Cup exploits for Europe , trailed early to Fowler , from California , and failed to recover , losing 2 & 1 . The 38-year-old was widely credited with sparking the fight back that led to the 'Miracle of Medinah ' when Europe recovered from a 10-6 deficit to the United States to win the 2012 Ryder Cup in Chicago . But after slumping to a first round defeat he Tweeted : `` Disappointed with my performance today do not deserve to move on . Congrats to Rickie Fowler . '' Fowler , who has suffered a frustrating start to his 2014 season , told the tournament 's official website his victory could kick-start his campaign . `` It feels like a big win after those missed cuts , '' Fowler said . `` It was nice to be the underdog . I had nothing to lose . '' Donald , who assumed the WGC crown from Poulter in 2011 , was on the end of a comprehensive defeat , losing 6 & 5 to Manassero , from Italy . The 20-year-old seized the initiative early on in the piece and ensured the match did n't go beyond the 14th hole . Despite his bruising victory , Donald was still pleased with aspects of his game , tweeting : `` Manny played great today and deserved to win , my game is close , excited for the next 3 weeks . '' Top seed and world No . 3 Henrik Stenson , from Sweden , trailed Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand with five holes to play but ended up winning on the 17th hole . Three-time major winner Rory McIlroy safely made it through to the next round after beating American Boo Weekley to make it into the last 32 . Bubba Watson , who won the Northern Trust Open on Sunday , safely moved into the next round , defeating Mikko Ilonen of Finland , while last year 's champion -- Matt Kuchar -- also progressed by beating Bernd Wiesberger .
Matteo Manassero records incredible comeback win over Gary Woodland . Former winners Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter out of World Match Play event . Englishmen beaten by Rickie Fowler and Matteo Manassero respectively . World No . 10 Graeme McDowell safely through as well as Sweden 's Gary Woodland .