WGC-Working Day Competition: Matt Fitzpatrick, Webb Simpson shares an early lead at The Concession Club | Golf News

Matt Fitzpatrick kicks free as he runs from his PGA mermaid tour at the WGC-Workday Tournament; Jon Rahm two back and Rory McIlroy three off the distance, and world No 1 Dustin Johnson struggling to open 77

Matt Fitzpatrick and Webb Simpson retain a share of the lead after a low-scoring opening round at the WGC-Workday Tournament.

Fitzpatrick set up the clubhouse after posting six birdies on his way to bogey 66 at The Concession, just for Simpson to move alongside on six under with three birdies in his last four holes.

Brooks Koepka, Kevin Kisner and Billy Horschel sit a bullet off the distance in a tie tied with Sergio Garcia, with Patrick Reed and Jon Rahm among the players two hits back and Rory McIlroy in the group on three under.

“The golf course is in incredible shape,” Fitzpatrick said Sky Sports. “The greens run around 12 on the stimp, that’s good for me. I like it when it’s like that. It’s a great golf course but the greens are challenging and I think that’s what protects it. “

Fitzpatrick – starting at the back of nine – opened with a six-foot birdie at the tenth but missed from equal distance at the next, before following consecutive birdies from the 14th with a 15-footer yoke to par saved at the 17th after discovering water by his approach.

The Englishman sent a bird on the 18th to reach the leg in 32 and turned from 10 feet at the fourth, with Fitzpatrick then draining a 35-footer at the sixth on his way to a spotless start. per week.

Simpson put on an elegant finish to join Fitzpatrick in a share of the lead, with a close win at the 15th, a 30-footer at the 16th and a two-put birdie at the 17th par leading him to six under.

McIlroy, looking to kick back from the loss lost last week and become the second player to win all four World Golf Championship titles, mixed six birdies with three bogs on his way to three-under 69.

The Northern Irishman reached the turn in 33 and kicked back from losing a four-footer to save par at the first to miss his next two holes, just to drop a shot at fourth and fifth after failing to turn putts from within five feet.

McIlroy made a seven-footer to save par at sixth and went from a similar distance to pick up a bullet at par-five next, but missed a six-foot birdie attempt at eighth to stay. three behind.

The top 19 players are separated by just three strokes after the unbroken opening round of the event, although the world of No 1 Dustin Johnson struggled with five more than 77 and Bryson DeChambeau – who was the winner at this center. – tied-67th of the 72-man Range after the first round of 78.

Watch the WGC-Workday Tournament during the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday with Special Groups from 4pm on Sky Sports Golf.