MATT FINDS A PERFECT FITZ TOGRABLEAD
MATT FITZPATRICK moved one shot clear in golf ’s Italian Open after he “figured out” how to get more loft from his irons early in his round.
The adjustment paid major dividends as he claimed the halfway lead in the £5.5million event at Olgiata golf club in Rome.
Fitzpatrick added a 65 to his opening 67 to finish 10 under par, a shot ahead of Denmark’s Joachim B Hansen, with Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Andrew Johnston, Rory Sabbatini and Shubhankar Sharma all on seven under.
Two-time tournament winner Ian Poulter joined Open champion Shane Lowry and home favourite Francesco Molinari in missing the cut.
Fitzpatrick has won at least once a season on the European Tour since claiming his maiden title in 2015 but has had to settle for three runners-up finishes so far in 2019.
The 25-year-old from Sheffield said: “When you’re in these kind of positions it’s always exciting. That’s why you play the game and I look forward to the weekend.
“I figured out something with my irons after the second hole. Just needed BY DALE RANKIN to get a little bit more loft on it going back, something I’ve been working on since Wentworth really.
“I felt much more comfortable with my irons once I was out there and that certainly showed. I only missed one green after that.”
One of the chasing pack Sabbatini was born in South Africa but now represents Slovakia, the home country of his wife and stepson, making him eligible to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.
Captain Padraig Harrington is monitoring his form but, speaking after a round of 70, the 43-year-old joked: “I think the only reason Padraig is looking at me is because I’m the only one that’s close to his age.
“Obviously there’s potential and I have a chance but I’d say between now and then I’ve got a lot of good golf that needs to be played.”
Only two of the eight Scots in Italy will be around for the weekend.
Robert MacIntyre is six off the lead after another round of 69 while Stephen Gallacher followed 70 with a level-par 71 for one under.