Late flurry puts Fitzpatrick top at British Masters

Rookie Matthew Fitzpatrick stormed into a first-round lead at the British Masters after carding a seven-under par 64 on Thursday at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.

Fitzpatrick, 21, recorded six birdies, including two at the 17th and 18th holes, and an eagle to take a one-stroke lead over a four-man chasing pack featuring Lee Slattery, Marc Warren, Soren Kjeldsen and Robert Karlsson.

Fitzpatrick, tipped as a possible future star of English golf, is in his first full season on the European Tour and has climbed to 36th on the Race to Dubai after three top-three finishes in his last seven tournaments. 

"Same again this week would be lovely," said the 21-year-old former US Amateur champion told Press Association Sport.

"It's a great start and I just need to keep working hard on my game.

"It was a tough start to the year and I missed a few cuts in a row, although I felt like I was playing all right, but now I am playing decent and getting the results I am looking for," Fitzpatrick, looking for his maiden European Tour victory, added.

Irish duo Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington made up part of a six-strong group on five under, with former world number one Luke Donald a stroke further back and tournament host Ian Poulter shooting a 68.

The British Masters returned to the European Tour schedule for the first time since 2008 with Poulter, Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose taking turns to act as tournament host at different venues.

Donald is considering options including The Grove in Hertfordshire or links courses in the south east of England, while Westwood favours Close House in the north east. 

Rose is understood to be hosting the tournament at Walton Heath next year.

Source; AFP