Fitzpatrick surges into lead as McIlroy falters

Alex Fitzpatrick earned a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour by winning a tournament with brother Matt last month -14 A Fitzpatrick (Eng); -13 K Reitan (Nor); -12 C Young (US); -10 SJ Im (Kor), N Hojgaard (Den) Selected others: -9 T Fleetwood (Eng), J Thomas (US), JJ Spaun (US); -1 R McIlroy (NI), R Fowler (US); +1 J Rose (Eng); +4 R MacIntyre (Sco), M Fitzpatrick (Eng) Alex Fitzpatrick hit a sparkling seven-under-par 64 to seize a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow. The 27-year-old younger brother of former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick produced an inspired display, carding eight birdies to move to 14 under par and put himself in pole position for a maiden individual PGA Tour title. Fitzpatrick leads Norway's Kristoffer Reitan, who also posted a 64, by a single stroke.

It is just a fortnight since the Fitzpatrick brothers won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans pairs event, which secured a two-year tour card for Alex, who is ranked 120th in the world. World number two Rory McIlroy, a four-time winner at this venue, suffered a frustrating Saturday, carding a four-over-par 75 to fall out of contention. Starting the day two shots off the lead, Fitzpatrick surged forward with five birdies on the front nine.

Despite a stumble with a bogey at the 16th, he responded immediately by sinking an eight-foot putt for birdie at the par-three 17th to regain his narrow advantage. "The one thing that I kind of did a really good job today was embracing everything that's going on," Fitzpatrick said. "I had so much support out there, which was amazing.

"I would love to win. I would give a lot to win. But also if winning doesn't happen, I would hope it would happen at some point.