by The shape of the former US open master Matt Fitzpatrick continued his upward trend after a four-and-end-saving 67 gave him a share in the lead on the first day of the Open in Royal Portrush.
When he was finished, the home favorite Rory McIlroy was just skimmed down, and while he spent the Nightmare launch, which he had in 2019 here, when he missed the Nordic Irish Put in the first for a four -time bogey that visited a short put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -put -Put -put had missed thousands.
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Fitzpatrick was eighth at the US PGA championship in May, but that was a highlight in an otherwise disappointing season until the top 10 placements in his last two events pointed out an upswing.
And this timing was flawless when he had a flying start on the second hole with a 22-foot-eagle putt, even though he immediately made the next bogey.
Two other birdies were to follow, but the highlight was from the steep bank on the treacherous accidental par-three 16 for Birdie.
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“Obviously, I felt that the players were a fairly low point,” said Fitzpatrick to miss the cut at Sawgrass in March.
“This is the lowest that I felt in my career. Statistically, it could also be the worst run that I played. I just didn’t feel good or knew where to go.
“It was really bad and even Valero, a few weeks later I couldn’t find my face with the ball. It was just not good.
“Today I just felt that I did everything well. I just went well, the approach was good and was well packed and well equipped. It was just an all -round, good day.”
Jacob Skov Olesen in Denmark was only professionally (Peter Byrne/Pa) in November.
Oleses, a Danish left-hander who won the amateur championship in Ballyyliffin in Ireland last summer, only became professionally in November after he earned his DP World Tour Card.
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This meant that the 26-year-old had to sacrifice his amateur exceptions for this year’s champions and US Open. So this was only his second appearance at one of the most important events of the Golf after his debut at Troon 12 months ago.
But he did not regret his decision after going through the qualification for fourteen days ago.
“I think it would have been another decision if I was 19 at that time, but it has always been a dream of mine,” he said.
“I had already made the decision before I even went to the second stage of the Q school that it was a child’s play to become a professional.
Lee Westwood enjoyed a strong opening round (Mike Egerton/Pa).
“I always have the feeling that when I play my game, I can do it well, especially left -wing courses, but it has not been very good in the past few months.”
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The English Matthew Jordan, who was looking for his third top 10 finish, was a shot back, while behind him the 52-year-old Lee Westwood rolled back on the age of 69 on the age of 69.
Scottie Scheffler number one in the world.
