Matt Fitzpatrick found himself just two strokes shy of the early leader at the FedEx Open de France, as defending champion Michael Kim surged to the top of the leaderboard following what he described as a "dream start" at Le Golf National. Kim’s opening round was nothing short of spectacular.
He recorded eight birdies, four of which came on his first six holes, and finished the day with a flawless, bogey‑free 63. The low‑scoring round gave him a comfortable two‑shot cushion over the rest of the field.
Starting his round on the back nine, the American continued his momentum with a birdie on the 11th, followed by two more birdies on the 14th. He then broke a string of pars by making a birdie on the par‑four first hole, further extending his advantage. Although he missed an opportunity on the par‑five third, he quickly recovered by stringing together birdies on the fifth and sixth holes, which vaulted him into sole possession of first place.
Kim then solidified his lead by taking another birdie on the par‑five ninth, pushing his margin to two strokes over the nearest competitors, including Fitzpatrick. "Just a dream start," Kim said after his round. "All parts of my game were really good, especially my irons and my putting.
I couldn't have asked for a better start." Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, also enjoyed a clean opening round. The Englishman carded six birdies to post a six‑under 65, placing him among a seven‑player tie for second place. His round was free of any mistakes, and he expressed satisfaction with his performance. "Really good day," Fitzpatrick remarked.
"Great start to the week and relatively stress‑free, which is always nice – particularly around this golf course." Trailing the leader, Thriston Lawrence was only one stroke back until a bogey on the final hole dropped him to six under par. Ryder Cup hopeful Kristoffer Reitan and fellow Englishman Sam Bairstow also sat two shots behind the leader. Australian Jason Scrivener, along with the Italian pair Giorgio De Leo and Matteo Manassero, joined Fitzpatrick in the tied‑second group. Ryder Cup vice‑captain Edoardo Molinar was three strokes back, sitting at five under.
Other notable performances included Viktor Hovland, who was four strokes off the lead, and American Ryan Gerard, who shared the same gap. Tommy Fleetwood, a member of Europe’s Ryder Cup‑winning squad from 2018 at this venue, opened with a respectable two‑under 69. In contrast, Manuel Elvira, who had previously double‑bogeyed the 72nd hole to miss out on a BMW PGA Championship victory, struggled mightily, posting a nine‑over 80 that left him near the bottom of the leaderboard.
The early stages of the FedEx Open de France have set the stage for an intriguing contest. With Kim demonstrating a blend of precision iron play and confident putting, and Fitzpatrick showing that he can produce a flawless, birdie‑rich round, the tournament promises a battle between seasoned champions and rising talent. The field also includes several players with Ryder Cup aspirations, adding an extra layer of competitive intensity. Looking ahead, the tournament will continue with live coverage on Friday beginning at 12:30 pm on Sky Sports Golf.
Fans can also follow the action through Sky Sports’ streaming service, NOW, which offers flexible, contract‑free viewing options. As the competition progresses, the question on everyone’s mind will be whether Kim can maintain his dream‑like start or if another contender, perhaps Fitzpatrick or one of the other strong performers, will surge ahead to claim the title. The atmosphere at Le Golf National remains electric, with the historic course—famous for hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup—providing a challenging yet fair test of skill.
Players must navigate a mix of strategic bunkering, fast greens, and demanding water hazards. Success will depend not only on raw talent but also on strategic course management and mental resilience. For those following the tournament, the next rounds will be crucial.
Kim will need to sustain his high level of play, avoiding the complacency that can sometimes follow a dominant opening round. Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, will be looking to build on his flawless start, aiming to add more birdies and perhaps a few eagles to keep the pressure on the leader. In summary, the FedEx Open de France has kicked off with a thrilling display of golf, highlighted by Michael Kim’s immaculate 63 and Matt Fitzpatrick’s immaculate six‑under 65.
With a field packed with talent and the stakes high, the upcoming days promise more drama, skillful shots, and perhaps a new champion emerging from the historic fairways of Le Golf National.