Defending champion David Gourlay secured his passage into the second round of bowls' Bupa Care Homes Open in Blackpool.

The world number one recovered from 4-0 down in the second set to beat Canadian Christie Grahame 12-1 7-6.

"I was well in control but suddenly Christie was back in it after a good start to the second set," said Gourlay.

"This new shortened format can see matches suddenly swing against you."

Gourlay was joined by third seed John Price and world champion Paul Foster in the next round.

Shoot-out decider

Fourth seed Price cruised to a 11-1 7-2 victory over South African Mike Redshaw, while Foster recovered from a second set deficit to beat Brett Arkley 10-2 6-5.

The surprise of the day was former world champion Les Gillett, who lost to Guernsey's Adrian Welch.

The number seven seed was beaten 5-4 4-5 and 1-0 in the deciding shoot-out.

"No complains - I was lucky to take it into the tie-breaker," said Gillett. "Adrian really should have won 2-0."

Elsewhere, Jason Greenslade beat Peterborough's Nicky Brett in a deciding shoot-out.