DAN POTTER kicked off his 2015 York Masters snooker campaign with a 3-0 victory over Clive Whyte.

Potter, beat by Steve Gregsnon in the 2014 final, made a 31 break to go 1-0 and a 30 break in frame two put the South Bank player in control of the match.

Burnholme's Whyte was unable to get into his usual rhythm and was soon on the back foot in frame three, with Potter winning 88-39.

Ashley Hugill, one of the tournament favourites, also got off to the perfect start with a 3-0 victory over Burnholme team-mate Andi Ireland.

A 37 break early in the first frame set the tone as Hugill quickly assumed control. Ireland was unable to match Hugill’s potting power and he won the second frame 79-36.

A 45 break, the tournament’s highest break, helped Hugill win the match and put him in command in group 'F'.

Roland Cox beat Nick Marchant 3-0 to go top of group 'H', with Cox making a 33 break in the third frame.

Tournament host Adrian Barraclough continued his dismal Masters form with a 3-1 loss to York RI's Kevin Gall.

Gall, who reached the quarter-finals last year, won a tight opening frame 42-30 and a well constructed 30 break sealed frame two.

Barraclough upped his game in the third frame, putting Gall under pressure with some fantastic safety play as he won 55-24.

Frame four was again tight, but Barraclough went in off the brown when playing a safety and Gall potted brown, blue and pink for victory.

John Dowd became the first player to exit the tournament after a disappointing 3-0 loss to South Bank’s Mick Borg, who sealed his win with a 31 clearance in frame three.