British masters: Matt Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Hojgaard push for Ryder Cup places in the first round in the belfry | News Golf
Matt Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Hojgaard Press for Ryder Cup places at Betfred British Masters.
The favorite at home Fitzpatrick is sitting on the advance after the first round at Belfry on Thursday, behind a quartet of players in front of six under the peer.
The Englishman carded seven birdies and two Bogeys to sign for an opening 67.
The 30 -year -old, who won the first of his nine DP World Tour titles at this event in 2015, can no longer automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup next month, but hopes to show the European Captain Luke Donald that he deserves to be one of his choices and has taken his week off.
He said to DP World Tour Website: “This week is another opportunity to play well.
“That’s why I’m here. I’m going to start well is always nice and I hope I’m going to start.
“This means that the world is one of them. Apart from the victory of an adult, it is normally the first thing on a goal sheet at the beginning of a year Ryder Cup.
“We have an excellent opportunity to do something that we have not done for some time and obviously being part would be special.”
Marcel Siem, Matthias Schwab, Thomas Aiken and Haotong Li share the head after shooting the 66 at Sutton Coldfield.
Fitzpatrick is alongside Keita Nakajima out of five sous, a blow in front of Scot Ewen Ferguson and the Englishman Matt Wallace.
Rasmus Hojgaard shot three-me of 69 in his first round while the Danish golfer started his attempt to get an automatic place in the European team for the Ryder Cup.
Rasmus Hojgaard could earn enough points to be an automatic selection for Team Europe
Hojgaard must finish with a double sense equally for the 29th or better in the tournament to win enough points to exceed Shane Lowry, which clings to sixth place in the list of automatic qualifications but does not contribute to the British masters.
Hojgaard is tied with five other players – including his twin brother, Nicolai – for 12th place, three shots from the head.
The first six automatically enter the European team. Rory McILroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert Macintyre and Tyrrell Hatton are already guaranteed to be in next month at Bethpage Black.
Luke Donald will announce his six captain choices to finish the 12 men team on September 1 at 2 p.m. Sky Sports.
Who will win the Betfred British Masters? Watch throughout the week live Sky Sports. The live coverage continues Friday from 12:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf. No sky? Get Sky Sports or Stream without any contract now.
