Matthew Fitzpatrick opened up a two-hole lead midway through his all English clash with Chris Wood on day two of the WGC - Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club.
With both Ryder Cup team-mates losing their opening matches in Group 6 on Wednesday, they were desperate for a win and Fitzpatrick made three birdies to be two up after nine holes.
There was less good news for Danny Willett and Russell Knox in Group 11, with both men struggling just after the turn.
Fitzpatrick put an approach to five feet to go one up on the third but was pegged back when Wood drove the green on the fifth.
A tee-shot to ten feet then moved Fitzpatrick back ahead and a Wood bogey on the next extended the lead.
In the other Group 6 match, Kevin Na was one up through nine holes against Justin Thomas.
Following his defeat on Wednesday, Masters Tournament champion Willett was battling to stay in the event at four down through 11 against Bill Haas, while Knox was three down after ten against K.T. Kim, but with the cushion of a victory on day one.
In Group 14, Phil Mickelson was four up through eight holes against Daniel Berger, while JB Holmes and Si Woo Kim were all square after seven.
Lee Westwood was handed a walkover in Group 3 after Jason Day's withdrawal, with Marc Leishman guaranteed a place in the last 16 with a win over Pat Perez.
The American was having his say, however, and led the Australian by one hole through six.
