Matthew Fitzpatrick birdied five of his last six holes to shoot a 7-under 65 Thursday and take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Fitzpatrick's strong finish saw him shoot his lowest score in an opening round since 2015 and break a logjam at the top of the leaderboard, with Sergio Garcia and Bryson DeChambeau among eight players to shoot 66 at Emirates Golf Club.
Nine players are a further shot behind after 67s, including Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
Matthew Fitzpatrick of England tees off on the 6th hole during round one of the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoNeville Hopwood)
The biggest win of Fitzpatrick's career came in Dubai, at the end-of-season World Tour Championship in 2016.
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Lee Westwood of Britain hits an approach shot onto the green at the 18th hole during the round one of the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoNeville Hopwood)