Matt Fitzpatrick found himself just two strokes behind the early leader at the FedEx Open de France, as defending champion Michael Kim surged to the top of the leaderboard with what he described as a "dream start" on the challenging fairways of Le Golf National. Kim opened the tournament with a flawless round of 63, racking up eight birdies and avoiding any bogeys.
Remarkably, four of those birdies came within the first six holes, setting the tone for an aggressive, low‑scoring day. His flawless performance gave him a comfortable two‑shot cushion over the rest of the field after the first round. The American began his round on the back nine, a strategic decision that paid dividends. After an initial birdie on the 11th hole, he continued his streak with another birdie on the 14th, and then capped the sequence with a birdie on the par‑four first hole, breaking what had been a run of pars for many competitors.
Although he missed an opportunity to extend his lead on the par‑five third hole, he quickly recovered by posting consecutive birdies on holes five and six, which vaulted him into sole possession of first place. He then solidified his advantage by gaining another stroke on the par‑five ninth, effectively doubling the gap between him and the nearest challengers, 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." His comments reflected the confidence that comes from hitting every club well and sinking putts with consistency, a combination that is often the hallmark of a tournament winner. Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, also enjoyed a clean opening round, carding a six‑under‑par 65 that featured six birdies and no mistakes.
His performance placed him among a seven‑player tie for second place after day one. The Englishman expressed satisfaction with his start, noting the ease of his round.
"Really good day," he said. "Great start to the week and relatively stress‑free, which is always nice – particularly around this golf course." Trailing the leaders, Thriston Lawrence was only one shot back until a bogey on the final hole of his round dropped him back to six under par.
Ryder Cup hopeful Kristoffer Reitan and fellow Englishman Sam Bairstow were also two strokes behind the leader, sharing the same score. Australian Jason Scrivener, along with the Italian pair Giorgio De Leo and Matteo Manassero, rounded out the group tied for second place with Fitzpatrick. Ryder Cup vice‑captain Edoardo Molinar was three strokes further back, sitting at five under par.
Other notable players included Viktor Hovland, who was four strokes off the lead, and American Ryan Gerard, who also found himself four shots behind after posting a solid round. Former Ryder Cup hero Tommy Fleetwood, who was part of the victorious European team at Le Golf National in 2018, posted a respectable two‑under‑par 69, keeping himself within striking distance. On the opposite end of the leaderboard, Manuel Elvira, who had a heartbreaking double‑bogey on the 72nd hole that cost him the BMW PGA Championship title just a week earlier, struggled significantly. He recorded a nine‑over‑par 80, placing him near the bottom of the standings and highlighting the unpredictable nature of tournament golf.
The FedEx Open de France continues to attract a strong field, and the early rounds have set the stage for an exciting competition. With Kim's flawless opening round and Fitzpatrick's steady play, the tournament promises a tight battle for the top spot. Fans can follow live coverage on Sky Sports Golf starting Friday at 12:30 pm, and can also explore the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the event without a contract on NOW.
The unfolding drama at Le Golf National underscores the blend of skill, strategy, and mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.