‘I got Valderrama’d today’ – Tough start to Andalucia Masters defence for Matt Fitzpatrick

Matt Fitzpatrick has ground to make up after making a slow start to the defence of his Andalucia Masters title.

The US Open champion did not play badly, but fell victim to the brutal nature of Valderrama.

Fitzpatrick paid the price for going off line on too many occasions, and finds himself eight shots adrift of leaders David Horsey, Min woo Lee, Jazz Janewattananond, Pep Angles and Soren Kjeldsen.

“I just felt like I got Valderrama’d today,” Fitzpatrick said. “I said to Billy (Foster, caddie) on the last I had six tee shots where I had to chip out sideways and played those at four-over.

“Outside of those I played solid enough and played okay. It is just the way the golf course is, hit it in the wrong spots and you don’t have a shot.”

Trailing by eight shots means Fitzpatrick will have to take some risks on Friday, which comes with a health warning at the storied Spanish track.

“I need a good one tomorrow,” he said. “It is different for me now, I am behind the eight ball so I need to shoot a low one tomorrow.

“There will probably be a little less patience and a bit more aggressive playing to try and make up a score.

“You really have to plot your way around, but when you need birdies you have got to try and do something and we will see what tomorrow brings.”

First Round Leaderboard

• T1. David Horsey, five-under
• T1. Jazz Janewattananond, five-under
• T1. Soren Kjeldsen, five-under
• T1. Min woo Lee, five-under
• T1. Pep Angles, five-under
• T6. Adrian Otaegui, four-under
• T6. Robert MacIntyre, four-under
• T8. Marc Warren, three-under
• T8. Joost Luiten, three-under
• T8. Louis De Jaeger, three-under
• T8. Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez, three-under
• T8. Pablo Larrazabal, three-under

While it was a tough day for Fitzpatrick, he could be in for a long evening as his younger brother Alex finished four shots better at one-under after a round of 70 – and on past form the junior sibling is sure to make that known.

Lee is in contention for the second week in a row after shooting an impressive round of 66 to sit alongside Horsey, Janewattananond, Angles and Kjeldsen.

“Last week I just did not have the focus in the last six holes,” Lee said. “But the positive Is I played wonderful for the first 66.

“I love this course, love the vibes here. So I just had to keep it going.”

Scoring was easier in the morning, meaning Robert MacIntyre’s opening round of 67 to sit at four-under in breezy afternoon conditions can be marked up considerably and he will hope for similar weather on Friday.