Matt Fitzpatrick looks to be ominously honing in on his fourth win this year after a sparkling seven-under 64 gave him a one-shot lead at the FedEx Open de France in Paris.
The world number four, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour this term, followed an eagle and five birdies with a brilliant pitch-and-putt par at Le Golf National's 18th.
He slipped playing his second shot to the treacherous closing hole but found dry land and got up and down from 33 yards, matching Jeff Winther with a best-of-the-day 64 to lead by a shot from the Dane on 13-under.
"We were humming and hawing whether to go for it, and I was happy to go for it," Fitzpatrick said. "I took the extra club just to make sure, and then as I took my backswing, I felt my right foot slip.
"Obviously, then in search of the ball, I've kind of thrown my right arm out and managed to make contact.
"It's just gone a long way and a long way left. So obviously nice to be in the fairway there and be able to have some control on the ball and hit one in close."
First-round leader and defending champion Michael Kim trails Fitzpatrick by two shots after a 68, with his American compatriot Ryan Gerard and France's Tom Vaillant three back after 65s.
At the LPGA's Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, European Solheim Cup stars Charley Hull and Celine Boutier opened with six-under 65s to share fourth behind Japan’s Yuna Nishimura.
Jordanstown's Stephanie Meadow was 59th after a 69 while Castlewarden’s Lauren Walsh and Cavan’s Leona Maguire were 81st after 70s.
At the LET's Buccellati Ladies Italian Open, Olivia Mehaffey's one-under 71 left her tied for 19th, four shots behind Finland's Noora Komulainen, Czechia's Patricie Mackova, Germany's Alexandra Forsterling and South Africa's Casandra Alexander— the KPMG Women's Irish Open champion and Order of Merit leader.
Sara Byrne was 30th after a 72, but Aine Donegan (74), Annabel Wilson (76) and Anna Foster (77) have work to do to make the 36-hole cut at Golf Club Milano.
Meanwhile, Ireland's Claire Dowling made history when she drove in as the first woman to serve as Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in its 272-year history.
"To begin my year as Captain here in St Andrews, surrounded by friends and fellow Members, is a very special moment," she said after hitting her tee shot.
"It is a huge privilege to serve as Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and I am honoured to be the first woman to take on the role.
"The Club has such a remarkable history and tradition, but it is continuing to evolve, which is so important for any institution."
A distinguished amateur golfer, Dowling represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup four times and was part of the team which made history in 1986 by securing the first GB&I victory over the USA on American soil.
She won five Irish Championships as well as the Ladies' British Open Amateur Stroke Play in 1986 and the Spanish Amateur Championship in 1987 before captaining the GB&I Curtis Cup team in 2000.
Article Link: Fitzpatrick hits the front in Paris - News - Irish Golf Desk