Fitzpatrick one shot off pace at British Masters
Matt Fitzpatrick hits a drive during day one of the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry. Picture: David Davies/PA
Home favourite Matt Fitzpatrick sat one shot off the lead after the first round of the Betfred British Masters, behind a quartet of players out in front on six under par.
Englishman Fitzpatrick carded seven birdies and two bogeys at The Belfry on Thursday to sign for an opening 67.
The 30-year-old, who claimed the first of his nine DP World Tour titles at this event in 2015, can no longer qualify automatically for next month's Ryder Cup but will be hoping to show European captain Luke Donald that he deserves to be one of his picks, and got his week off to a strong start.
He told the DP World Tour website: "This week is another opportunity to play well.
"That is why I am here. To get off to a good start is always nice and hopefully I'll kick on.
"It means the world to be a part of it. Outside of winning a major, it is normally the first thing on a goal sheet at the start of a Ryder Cup year.
"We have got a great opportunity to do something we have not done in a while and obviously to be a part of that would be special."
Marcel Siem, Matthias Schwab, Thomas Aiken and Haotong Li shared the lead after firing opening 66s in Sutton Coldfield.
Fitzpatrick was alongside Keita Nakajima on five under, one shot ahead of Scot Ewen Ferguson and Englishman Matt Wallace.
Ryder Cup hopeful Rasmus Hojgaard, who needs to finish in a tie for 29th with one other player or better this week to overtake Shane Lowry and earn a debut for Team Europe next month, got his quest off to a good start, with a three under par round of 69 earning him a tie for 12th after round one.
Conor Purcell shot a one-over 73 in his opening round.
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