2-time winner Matt Fitzpatrick upstaged by younger brother in first round at European Masters

By: The Associated Press Posted: 1:40 PM CDT Thursday, Sep. 5, 2024

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) — Seeking a third victory at the European Masters, Matt Fitzpatrick was upstaged by his younger brother in a low-scoring first round at the picturesque Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in the Alps on Thursday.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/09/2024 (757 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Alex Fitzpatrick shot 7-under 63 and was tied for the lead with unheralded Spaniard Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, ranked No. 629, at the European tour event.

While Alex finished tied for fifth on his debut at Crans-Montana last year, Matt — at age 30, the older of the siblings by five years — won the tournament in 2017 and 2018 and is looking to become just the fourth player — after Seve Ballesteros, Harold Henning and Dai Rees — to win it three times.

Matt Fitzpatrick from England watches his tee shot during the first round of the European Masters Golf Tournament, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Valentin Flauraud/Keystone via AP)

Matt Fitzpatrick shot 66 and was in a six-man group three strokes off the lead. The 2022 U.S. Open champion is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 27.

Fellow Englishman Matt Wallace had a bogey-free 64 and was with Daan Huizing, Jason Scrivener and Henrik Norlander in a tie for third place.