Matt Fitzpatrick and Paul Shine make strong starts in Ryder Cup qualification bid at Omega European Masters

Two-time winner Fitzpatrick, who needs to finish tied seventh with one player or better to overhaul the absent Tommy Fleetwood on the World Points list, carded a flawless opening 63 to be part of a six-way tie for the lead.

Paul, who would replace Scotland's Robert MacIntyre in the final berth on the European Points list with a win, is just a shot behind on six under par alongside Sweden's Ludvig Aberg, who continues to make a strong case for a wild card despite only turning professional in June.

"I played brilliant," former US Open champion Fitzpatrick said after a round containing seven birdies and no bogeys.

"I think I only hit two bad shots, one I got away with and one I managed to get up and down.

"That's as good as I've played for a while. I made a good par save on 13 but missed a couple of putts for that score as well so really feel comfortable out there and it's so nice to be back."

Fitzpatrick shared the lead with compatriot Eddie Pepperell, Denmark's John Axelsen, Spain's Nacho Elvira, Malaysia's Gavin Green and Japan's Masahiro Kawamura, while Scotland's Scott Jamieson was alongside Paul and Aberg in a tie for seventh.

Paul, MacIntyre and another Ryder Cup hopeful, Poland's Adrian Meronk, all played in the same group, with MacIntyre returning a 68 and Meronk shooting 67.

"Obviously there's a lot of (Ryder Cup) talk going on, but for me it didn't really matter who I was playing with," Paul said.

"(There are) so many things you can't really control. I just try to see it as a normal tournament and enjoy it, be grateful and if I feel like that I tend to play my best golf.

"So I didn't really compare myself to anyone, just try to stay in my zone and today it worked really well."

Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald will name his six wild cards on Monday, with Fleetwood certain to receive one if replaced in the automatic qualifying places by Fitzpatrick.

 

Read More: Ryder Cup qualifying: Last-chance saloon for Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre (planetsport.com)