Padraig Harrington's attempt at exorcising "past demons" in the HSBC World Matchplay Championship fell well short at Wentworth today, as The Open champion exited at the earliest stage, beaten four and two by Dane Anders Hansen.

The Dane, who won the BMW PGA title at Wentworth this May, was in control for the entire 36 holes.

"Losing in the first round is really disappointing because I was hoping to go  all the way," said Harrington, who could now lose his position at the top of the European Order of Merit.

Hansen commented afterwards: "The only thing I had going for me was him (Harrington) not liking this course.

"But he just keeps going and you just never know what he is going to come up with. That's why he's Open champion.

"It wasn't pretty in the morning (Harrington's front nine 38 was the worst scoring of anybody), but I then played better. I could see that he was trying to push and he made a few mistakes."

Harrington never led and after lunching two down bogeyed the first hole for the second time and was never able to put pressure on his opponent.

Justin Rose, the Irishman's closest challenger in the order of merit, was demolished five and four by American Hunter Mahan. However, Ernie Els and Swedes Niclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson all have the chance to go number one.

Not that Fasth and Stenson are through to the second round yet. Because of a fog delay of almost two hours at the start of the day they were still out on the course when darkness came.

Els admitted feeling "kind of sad" over his demolition of Colin Montgomerie. The six and five defeat of the Scotsman matched his heaviest loss in 30 games at the event going back to 1991.

"It was tough both of us playing together in the first round," said the South African, winner of the title a record six times already. "We've had so much success around this course and in this event. I think it would have been a really great match later in the tournament."

His victory, however, keeps alive his hopes of a "Super Sunday". Els has plans to go South Africa's Rugby World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Paris and since it starts at 8pm British time there would be time for him to fly from Surrey even if he is involved in the final and it goes the full distance.

Montgomerie, the 1999 champion and three times the Volvo PGA champion round the West Course, did not try to put any gloss on his performance.

"I was just rubbish all day — rubbish," said the Scot, who has now come off second best in all three meetings with Els at the event and suffered one of his other two six and five defeats to him in 2002. The other was against Paul Casey in last year's semi-finals.

Monty is now in danger of falling back outside the world's top 50, which in turn would raise the possibility of him having to qualify for the majors next season.

Stenson had been five up on American Woody Austin, but stood all square with one to go, while Fasth was two down to Argentina's Andres Romero after 32 of the 36 holes.

Denmark's other Hansen - Soren - is also still alive. He came from behind to knock out third seed Rory Sabbatini four and three and next meets Mahan.

Paul Casey, winner of the title on his debut last year, is still unbeaten, but was the first to admit he was not that impressive in overcoming American Jerry Kelly three and two.

While Argentina's Angel Cabrera, his next opponent, was 10-under-par in thrashing Retief Goosen six and five, Casey was an approximate one over and had to go further than in any of his matches last year.

At least he finished in style. After losing the 31st and 32nd he pitched to eight feet for a birdie that ended Kelly's hopes. "I feel very lucky, to be honest," commented Casey.