IAN POULTER admitted revenge tasted extra sweet as he banished the memories of his humiliating 8&6 hiding against Kevin Kisner at last years World Match Play.
That was easily the worst beating the Match Play Ninja has suffered in hand to hand combat.
But he put one over on Kisner in their re-match, winning a topsy-turvy battle two up in the first round of qualifying games.
Poulter was at his chest-thumping best as he birdied the final two holes, after Kisner had levelled the match by slam-dunking a sixty yard chip on the long 16th.
The English ace commented: That was the worst defeat of my career last year, and when I saw the draw for the first round of matches I thought it was the perfect opportunity to put it right.
Im sure Kevin knew Id be a different animal today. And he would have been right.
I wasnt in a great mindset last year after being told after my last 16 match Id done enough to qualify for the Masters and then being told before we teed off the numbers crunchers had got it wrong.
I was totally focused today, and I was strong enough to shrug off that slam-dunk and get the job done. Id be lying if I didnt say there was an extra element of satisfaction after what happened last year.
EMBARRASSED
It was also really important to win that first match, because it is hard to make it through to the knockout stages if your lose first up. I bet theres not more than ten people who have done that and still gone through.
Poulter now tackles another American, rising star Keith Mitchell, who pleaded with him for tips on how to approach his first World Match Play appearance, before they realised they had been drawn in the same group.
Poulter explained: Kevin lives near me in Florida, and we bumped into each other in Augusta last weekend when we were both there practising for the Masters.
We agreed to share a private jet to Texas and then he asked me: What makes you a great match play expert? I need a few tips before I play my first one.
Luckly I just shrugged it off because I was a bit embarrassed. Im glad I didnt give him any tips. Hes a real talent, and even though he lost his first match against Tony Finau, hes going to be a real handful.
Poulter spearheaed a storming start by the ten-strong English challenge in Austin.
Early starter Tommy Fleetwood was the first player to put a point on the board as he came back from two down to beat Ben An of Korea 3&2, and world No 2 Justin Rose saw off Argentinas Emiliano Grillo 2&1.
Paul Casey showed there were no hangovers from his successful Vapspar Championship defence on Sunday as he romped to a 573 victory over Abraham Ancer of Mexico.
And Tom Lewis showed tons of bottle as he birdied the final hole to square his match with reigning US Open and USPGA champion Brooks Kopeka.
Fleetwoods Ryder Cup partner, Francesco Molinari, was another easy winner, taking out Japans SatoshiKodaira 5&3, and the European stars admitted they are still riding the Moliwood wave.
Fleetwood said: I saw Frankie was going great and I think were both still drawing on the great vibe from the Ryder Cup and why wouldnt you? Its still going to feel fresh right up to the next one.
Molinari added: I feel so much more confident in match play situations since I won all five matches in Paris. I didnt think this format suited my game until then. But not any more.
Ian Poulter sits in the middle of Team Europe fans who chant his name before opening day of Ryder Cup in Paris