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British Masters: Fitzpatrick, Aphibarnrat Share 54-Hole Lead

By Sam Belden

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Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

In a year when Texas native Jordan Spieth won five times and racked up two majors, perhaps it’s only fitting that European fans could be getting a glimpse at their next star of the future.

Fitzpatrick, 21, has really been turning some heads lately.

Matthew Fitzpatrick, the 2013 U.S. Amateur winner and a European Tour rookie, has really been turning some heads lately, finishing in third place in two of his last four starts. That good form continued today during the third round of the British Masters at Woburn Golf and Country Club. After sleeping on the 36-hole lead, he notched a 68 to remain tied at the top, this time with Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat. Fitzpatrick’s solid round could have been even better; his 20-footer for birdie on the 17th appeared to be on its way into the hole but just barely rolled past.

Fitzpatrick, 21, will head into tomorrow with his best chance yet to score his first pro victory. If golf’s recent youth movement is any indication, he’ll make the most of it.

Aphibarnrat, a stroke behind at the outset of the round, shot a bogey-free 67 to match Fitzpatrick. It’s just the latest highlight of what’s been a strong run for the 26-year-old. In his last five worldwide starts, he’s notched two wins and a tie for fourth.

Earning his third trophy of the season this week would be a nice consolation for Aphibarnrat, who was recently passed over for a spot on captain Nick Price’s Team International in this week’s Presidents Cup. At No. 55 in the world, being left off has to sting, but he could turn the negative into a positive by shooting a low number tomorrow.

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Of course, those two aren’t the only ones who will be in contention for the title tomorrow. 36-hole co-leader Soren Kjeldsen and Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti are currently tied for third, just one stroke behind the leaders’ score of 12-under.

Kjeldsen kept pace with the leaders for most of the round, going out in 33, but he failed to capitalize on the back nine, playing it even par and falling out of the lead.

Zanotti, starting the day in a tie for eighth, notched five birdies and an eagle en route to his 66, tied for the second best round of the day. Former world No. 1 Luke Donald’s 65 was the low round and propelled him into a tie for fifth, 28 spots up the leaderboard.

Irishman Shane Lowry, winner of this year’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, is among those tied with Donald. He shot a consecutive 69 to remain within striking distance, three strokes behind the leaders. Richard Bland and Romain Wattel are also in the four-way tie for fifth.

Other notables currently within the top 25 include Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, tournament host Ian Poulter, Joost Luiten and Andy Sullivan. They and many others will be jockeying for position as the Race to Dubai nears its end.

Tomorrow’s final group will consist of Fitzpatrick, Aphibarnrat and Zanotti, with Kjeldsen, Donald and Wattel heading out just before them (check out the rest of the tee times here). American fans can catch the final round action from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, while Europeans can tune into Sky Sports 4 at 9 a.m. GMT.

Next: Pressel, Korda & Lewis Move Big in Malaysia

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