Kjeldsen joins Fitzpatrick atop British Masters leaderboard

Six birdies and an eagle have helped England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick has taken a first round lead at the British Masters at Woburn Golf Club.

The golfer known as the “Postman” for his ability to deliver spectacular performances in the Ryder Cup was as nervous as a kitten over his opening tee shot at Woburn, his home course.

On Friday, Fitzpatrick had a troubled start by dropping a shot on the first hole, but he recovered by scoring four birdies.

Fitpatrick traded a birdie with a bogey on the opening two holes but then got to work with par breakers at 5 and 6 followed by an eagle-3 at 7.

“I hit three good first putts, all from 35 feet or so, but I just misjudged them in the shadows”, said Harrington.

Asked about the prospect of winning his first title this weekend, Fitzpatrick said: “Hopefully it will come with time.

Getting in the World Golf Championships, the majors, that’s where I want to be”, he added after a two-under 69 left him at the top of the early second-round leaderboard alongside Dane Soren Kjeldsen.

“I like testing new equipment, but unless it’s absolutely right it doesn’t go in the bag”, Warren said. “That would be nice – a real motivation”.

Overnight leader Fitzpatrick said he’s not thinking yet about a breakthrough win. “If I don’t win between now and the Masters (next April) but get into Augusta on the world rankings, I will be a happy man”. “I don’t bomb it 320 (yards) so I’ve got to optimise my game to be able to play against these big guys”.

“I started hitting a fade in Switzerland (where he finished second) and maybe have a little bit more control over the ball now; the bad ones are not as destructive”.

Donald and Poulter, who shot 67 and 68 respectively on Thursday, were among the later starters, while Westwood was one over par after five holes today and one under overall.

With a history which dates back to 1946, and a hugely impressive roll of honour, the absence of the British Masters from the schedule was a poor reflection on the European Tour’s failure to attract sponsors in its own backyard.