Fitzpatrick’s late entrance might pay off

A LATE decision to contest the Nordea Masters could pay massive dividends for England’s Matt Fitzpatrick after he claimed the halfway lead in Stockholm.

Just four shots separated 62 players after the first round at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, with Fitzpatrick one shot off the six-way tie for the lead following an opening 68.

But after firing seven birdies and no bogeys in a flawless 65 yesterday, the 21-year-old from Sheffield found himself with a three-shot lead over compatriots Andrew Johnston and Ross Fisher, former Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts, Scotland’s Scott Henry and Sweden’s Alexander Bjork.

“I just gave myself a lot of chances,” said the former US Amateur champion. “Everyone will probably laugh when I say it but I missed a couple of chances on 13 and 14, so roll those in and all of a sudden you are nine under, but I just putted really solidly and played well overall.”

Colsaerts has not won since claiming the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2012, a success which led to him being selected as a wild card for the ‘Miracle at Medinah’.

But the 33-year-old Belgian has shown consistent form in recent weeks and believes the course suits his game after carding five birdies and an eagle in his 66.

Colsaerts said: “It’s almost like apart from a few holes, I don’t care where I hit it. I can fly a few bunkers and even if I am in the rough I don’t really care much. There’s only the par fives where you need to take a bit more of an aggressive line because that’s the only thing you have. I won’t say I’m coming to my best again but everything seems to be heading in the right way.”