Open Golf: Fitzpatrick holds silver medal advantage
Sheffield’s Matthew Fitzpatrick will take a two shot lead into the final day in his battle with Jimmy Mullen for the leading amateur title at The Open.
The 18-year-old shot a two-over-par 73 this morning in a round which included two birdies on the front nine and two bogeys on the 17th and 18th.
“I played solid really, apart from the odd loose shot which I recovered well from,” he said.
The youngest player in the field was sat on the cut line last night, but a score of +7 for the first two rounds proved enough to see him through. Commenting on what it is like to be here at the weekend, Fitzpatrick said: “To tell you the truth it was a bit of an anti-climax, it’s not like I’m waiting to win or anything like that. But it is great to be here!”
Meanwhile Mullen, who held his nerve on the final hole last night to ensure he stayed inside the cut line, could only manage a +4 round of 75. However, he did make three birdies after carding three bogeys and a double in the opening seven holes.
Mullen’s slip allowed Fitzpatrick to take a two shot advantage into tomorrow, with the two players both starting today on +7.
Commenting on the prospect of winning the silver medal, Fitzpatrick said: “The target coming into this tournament was to make the cut, so anything after that would be a bonus really.”
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
