Matt Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Hojgaard are pushing for Ryder Cup locations on the Betfred British Masters.
Residence favorite Fitzpatrick sits one shot off the lead after the primary spherical at The Belfry on Thursday, behind a quartet of gamers out in entrance on six below par.
The Englishman carded seven birdies and two bogeys to signal for a gap 67.
The 30-year-old, who claimed the primary of his 9 DP World Tour titles at this occasion in 2015, can not qualify mechanically for subsequent month’s Ryder Cup however will probably be hoping to indicate European captain Luke Donald that he deserves to be one in every of his picks, and acquired his week off to a robust begin.
He informed the DP World Tour web site: “This week is one other alternative to play nicely.
“That’s the reason I’m right here. To get off to a superb begin is at all times good and hopefully I am going to kick on.
“It means the world to be part of it. Exterior of profitable a significant, it’s usually the very first thing on a aim sheet at the beginning of a Ryder Cup yr.
“We have got a great opportunity to do something we have not done in a while and obviously to be a part of that would be special.”
Marcel Siem, Matthias Schwab, Thomas Aiken and Haotong Li share the lead after firing opening 66s in Sutton Coldfield.
Fitzpatrick is alongside Keita Nakajima on 5 below, one shot forward of Scot Ewen Ferguson and Englishman Matt Wallace.
Rasmus Hojgaard shot a three-under 69 in his first spherical because the Danish golfer began his bid to clinch an computerized place on Europe’s crew for the Ryder Cup.
Rasmus Hojgaard may earn sufficient factors to be an computerized choice for Group Europe
Hojgaard wants to complete in a two-way tie for twenty ninth or higher within the match to earn sufficient factors to overhaul Shane Lowry, who’s clinging onto sixth place within the record of computerized qualifiers however shouldn’t be competing within the British Masters.
Hojgaard is in a tie with 5 different gamers – together with his twin brother, Nicolai – for twelfth place, three pictures off the lead.
The highest six get into the European crew mechanically. Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton are already assured to be at subsequent month’s matches at Bethpage Black.
Luke Donald will announce his six captain’s picks to finish the 12-man crew on September 1 at 2pm, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Who will win the Betfred British Masters? Watch all through the week dwell on Sky Sports activities. Reside protection continues Friday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports activities Golf. Not acquired Sky? Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
