GOLF:

A birdie blitz from Shane Lowry sank Scotland's Stephen Gallacher in the first round of Volvo World Match Play group ties at the London Club.

The Irishman took the first hole against the Ryder Cup player and added the sixth before Gallacher pulled one back at the ninth.

A bogey cost the Scot the 11th. He hit back with a two at the next but Lowry sealed his 3&2 win with his sixth and seventh birdies at holes 14 and 16. Today Gallacher faces Spain's Pablo Larrazabal.

Graeme McDowell got his title defence off to a fine start with a 3&2 win over Alexander Levy.

The Frenchman, who won the rain-shortened Portugal Masters last week, was two-under for his round but he couldn't cope with a turbocharged display from McDowell.

The Ryder Cup hero said: "Alexander did not make as many putts as I did. The greens are outstanding considering how much rain this course has taken."

Elsewhere, Sweden's Jonas Blixt beat US star Patrick Reed 2&1 while Paul Casey edged Jamie Donaldson 2&1.

Germany's Martin Kaymer defeated Bubba Watson in a sudden-death play-off to win the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda. World No.1 Rory McIlroy, who won the Open Championship and US PGA, struggled to a 75 to finish two-over, one ahead of Jim Furyk.

ICE-HOCKEY: Braehead Clan beat Nottingham Panthers 4-3 in the Elite League and are now second in the table, a point behind Belfast Giants with a game in hand.

A crowd of more than 2,300 at Braehead Arena watched the sides slug it out. After taking a 1-0 lead in the first period Clan ended the third 3-3, but got the goal that counted in overtime.