Fitzpatrick starts in style as US PGA Championship gets under way

England’s Alex Fitzpatrick began with a birdie as the US PGA Championship got under way in south-west Philadelphia. The 27-year-old was in the leading group to tee off at 6. 45 am (1045 GMT), competing in just his second major, alongside local golf professional Braden Shattuck and the USA’s Ben Griffin.

He split the fairway with his tee shot at the first before a superb birdie putt from 28ft got his campaign up and running in style. Fitzpatrick secured a two-year PGA tour card with victory alongside brother Matt at the Zurich Classic last month and the pair arrive at Aronimink Golf Club as two of the most in-form players. Alex followed up that victory with ninth at the Cadillac Championship and fourth at last week’s Truist Championship, while Ryder Cup regular Matt has three PGA Tour wins under his belt this season.

The pair are among a host of Europeans hoping to break the USA’s grip on this major, with the last 10 winners all American. Leading that group is Rory McIlroy, bidding for back-to-back majors after defending his Masters title last month and hoping to become just the fifth player since 1960 to win the first two of the year. The Northern Irishman begins his quest for a seventh major alongside fellow multiple major winners Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth at 8.

40am.