DP World Tour: After a low-scoring opening day in Dubai, Matt Fitzpatrick got off to the perfect start in his quest for a third DP World Tour Championship triumph by taking a share of the lead.
Fitzpatrick, who won the season-ending competition in 2016 and 2020, birdied each of his first five holes at Jumeriah Golf Estates his route to an outstanding 65 without making a bogey.
The winner of the US Open is now tied for the lead with his countryman Tyrrell Hatton at seven under, with Alex Noren two shots back in third place ahead of Adri Arnaus of Spain. Hatton had the outright lead until he bogeyed the last hole.
Fitzpatrick would overtake Rory McIlroy and Ryan Fox at the top of the DP World Rankings if all three finished the week in their current leaderboard positions. Fitzpatrick is currently third in the overall standings for the season and one of seven players still in contention to win the Harry Vardon Trophy.
Fitzpatrick stated, “The biggest thing I’m so delighted about today is hitting 17 greens. “The big thing for me was the one I completely screwed up and missed. I continued to give myself opportunities and put very well.”
Fitzpatrick shares the early lead
The Englishman made a birdie at the first and rolled in from 15 feet at the par-five second after missing the green in two. Fitzpatrick then made gains at the following two holes by nearly making a hole-in-one at the par-four fifth.
Fitzpatrick made the turn in 30 after making a birdie at the eighth hole. He then moved back into a tie for the lead at the par-five 14th after making another birdie from 18 feet there. The 28-year-old finished off his flawless start with four consecutive pars.
Hatton started the round with four birdies in his first seven holes then shot up the leaderboard with four straight birdies starting at the 13th, including one from 65 feet, before hitting his approach shot into the par-five 18th hole into the water, leading to a closing bogey.
Hatton remarked, “Obviously, it was a good day. “Hit many accurate shots. Putter did well. Kind of pleased with that beginning. After the 18th, my brain feels a little fried. My thoughts are simply racing at that point. However, it is what it is.”
Tommy Fleetwood, who won the Nedbank Golf Challenge last week, is in the group of players at four under par, along with Callum Shinkwin of England. Richie Ramsay of Scotland is four shots back in a tie for tenth place, and Jon Rahm is among the many players at two under par.
In a one-under 71, McIlroy, who started the week 128 points ahead of Fox in the DP World Tour standings, blended five birdies and four bogeys, while his New Zealand playing companion bogeyed two of his first three holes en route to a round-one score of 73.
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