Matt Fitzpatrick boosts his Ryder Cup hopes with victory over Thomas Bjorn

Ryder Cup hopeful Matt Fitzpatrick convincingly beat European vice-captain Thomas Bjorn in the opening round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Paul Lawrie Match Play to boost his chances of making the team for Hazeltine.

Third-seed Fitzpatrick hit six birdies at Archerfield en route to a 4&3 victory over the experienced Dane.

He told europeantour.com: “I played really nicely and made quite a few birdies on the front nine. It was good to get off to that fast start and sort of just hold it together on the back nine.