Fitzpatrick leads British Masters
An opening round of 64 has given Sheffield's Matt Fitzpatrick a slender one-shot lead in the British Masters.
Matt Fitzpatrick birdied the last two holes to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the British Masters at Woburn on Thursday.
The 21-year-old Englishman, who finished tied for third at the Italian Open last month, carded a seven-under 64 to top the leaderboard.
Fitzpatrick - only playing this week after receiving an invite - made an eagle at the seventh, as well as six birdies and just one bogey to set the pace and raise hopes he can claim his first title since turning professional last year.
Robert Karlsson had looked set to be the man to catch at the end of the opening day of the European Tour event, which attracted a bumper crowd after 15,000 free tickets were given away, until he bogeyed the 18th.
The Swede instead joined Marc Warren, Lee Slattery and Soren Kjeldsen on 66 after making a mess of his tee shot at the last and missing a 10-foot putt for par.
That was the only blemish on Karlsson's card and came after Scot Warren and Englishman Slattery had set the clubhouse target.
Warren did not drop a solitary shot in an impressive start to the tournament, which is back on the European Tour after a seven-year absence, while seven birdies and just one bogey put Russian Open champion Slattery firmly in the hunt.
Kjeldsen made three birdies on the front nine and the same amount on the homeward stretch to ensure he is tied for second going into the second round.
Irish duo Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry are among six players on two under, while tournament host Ian Poulter is four off the lead after dropping shots at 14 and 15 at his home club.
Stephen Gallacher and Peter Uihlein retired from the event due to illness and a back injury respectively.