Tommy Fleetwood leads army of Englishmen on to leaderboard

Sky Sports Golf, 9.30am Friday

Tommy Fleetwood made by far the best start of the European Ryder Cup stars in action at Walton Heath this week, the seemingly indefatigable Englishman opening with a 67 to assume market leadership after round one.

Fleetwood made five birdies on a breezy afternoon in Surrey and will be hunting more when he tees off at 8am on Friday. The Race to Dubai champion was 10-1 joint-second favourite ante-post, but shortened to a general 3-1 after his rock-solid opening round.

Five of the last ten British Masters winners have been English and Londoner Matt Wallace made a superb start, posting a morning 67. Ante-post favourite Justin Rose struggled to a two-over-par 74.

Hole-in-one backers collected when Eddie Pepperell managed an ace at the ninth, which he quickly followed with another eagle at the 11th. Englishmen are swarming all over the leaderboard.

Second-round threeball punters should consider Matthew Fitzpatrick, who is well suited to Walton Heath and in good form. Tournament host Rose, who is labouring with a bug, looks a vulnerable favourite for the 12.35pm match against Fitzpatrick and Paul Dunne.

Recommendation
M Fitzpatrick
1pt 15-8 Coral, Ladbrokes

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook