Minnesota men's golfer Simon Nash won his first round match 3 and 2 against Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland Wednesday. Nash advances to the second round of match play on Thursday at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga.

Nash won the first two holes of the match and never trailed. He was 3 up at the turn, after shooting a 33 on the front nine. The sophomore from Pullenvale, Australia gave one back with a bogey 5 on 12, but went dormie on 15 when McDowell bogeyed the par-4 15th. Both players parred the 16th hole and the match was over.

Nash will face Michael Sims of Bermuda in the round of 32. The third round will also be contested tomorrow.