By Matt Smith
Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy gave European Ryder Cup captain the perfect start at the dress rehearsal of sorts for next year’s clash with the US team as his two superstar players forged to the top of the Italian Open leaderboard.

The English US Open champion led by one from a group containing FedEx Cup champion McIlroy when fading light stopped play at the same Marco Simone Country Club course where Europe will aim to wrest back the Ryder Cup trophy from the States next September.

Fitzpatrick picked up shots on the second and seventh holes on his front nine and then posted three consecutive birdies on the 11th, 12th and 13th holes to move to five under par, before having to pause his round on the 16th tee.

McIlroy — out early and starting from hole 10 — recovered from a one-over opening nine to come back in 30 shots and sign for a round of 67.

The Northern Irishman, who is making his first professional appearance in Italy, kick-started his round with an eagle two on the third hole after holing out from 115 yards. He then picked up further shots on the fifth, eighth and ninth.

The four-time major champion was among the morning players whose rounds were delayed by an hour due to lightning, with Malaysia’s Gavin Green and Spain’s Dubai-based Adri Arnaus also joining him in the clubhouse on four-under. Scotland’s Scott Jamieson, France’s Antoine Rozner and Englishman Eddie Pepperell also carded rounds of 67 in the afternoon, with Spaniard Alvaro Quiros and Dutchman Joost Luiten also on four-under through 16 holes and 13 holes respectively.

European Ryder Cup captain Donald himself eagled the 12th hole and is in a share of 14th place on two-under through 14 holes before play was suspended just after 7pm.

“I played well in patches,” reflected Fitzpatrick. “I’ve been lucky off the tee probably three times today. Just had a lie and got myself back in position and made a par, which I feel like looking at the scoring over the day, pars have been good scores. So yeah, to be honest I’m taking my chance when is I’ve had them, which is great. But just need to sharpen the driver.

“I was trying to push us on as fast as possible but the rest of the field are obviously playing a bit slower. Especially when you’re having a good round, you just want to keep going but it is what it is. Come back out tomorrow.”

McIlroy added: “I Felt like I was still half-asleep playing that first nine. I think that eagle obviously ignited something and sort of kick-started my round a little bit. I played some really good golf on the way in. I can’t complain, I played the more difficult nine well and the easier nine not so well, so it probably evened out. Just need to tidy up a few things going into the next few days.

“I think as the week goes on, I’ll hopefully get more and more comfortable on this golf course, and hopefully on Sunday, I have another good chance to win.”

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