Host Paul Lawrie found his form at the right time to advance to the second round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Paul Lawrie Match Play.
The Scot is without a win in almost four years and still searching for a first top ten this term, but he made five birdies as he beat big-hitting Dane Lucas Bjerregaard 4 and 2 at Archerfield.
The 47 year old made it to the second round at the inaugural staging of his event last year but will be looking to go further when he takes on Richard Green on Friday.
Birdies at the first, sixth, eighth, 11th and 16th all brought him wins with Bjerregaard fighting back with a gain of his own on the 14th.
Australian Green had been two down with seven to play but three birdies in the next five holes helped him claim a 3 and 2 win over Lee Slattery.
Third seed Matthew Fitzpatrick was on course for victory against Ryder Cup vice-captain Thomas Bjørn, the Englishman getting to six up at the turn.
A win this week would strengthen Fitzpatrick's Ryder Cup claims and a strong performance alongside Bjørn would do his chances no harm should he require a Captain's pick.
Top seed Chris Wood is also seeking a place on the team at Hazeltine and he was one up through six holes against Brett Rumford.
Second seed Alex Noren was three up after five holes against Scott Jamieson while another Scot - Stephen Gallacher - also endured a rough start, trailing Renato Paratore by three after four holes.
Eduardo de la Riva was one up against Callum Shinkwin with two holes to play, while Alejandro Cañizares led Mike Lorenzo-Vera by one with three left to tackle.
Maximilian Kieffer was three up against Edoardo Molinari after 13 holes with Craig Lee also holding a three-hole advantage against Raphaël Jacquelin with seven holes left.
Mikko Ilonen was two up against Jin Jeong after 14 holes and Nacho Elvira was one up against Oliver Wilson after 12.
English duo Richard Bland and Robert Dinwiddie were both one up after ten against Joakim Lagergren and Anthony Wall, while the matches between Pelle Edberg and Matt Ford, and Daniel Brooks and Gareth Wright were all square on the front nine.
