Fitzpatrick produces solid first day

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Matthew Fitzpatrick lines up a putt on #2 during the first round of the Masters Tournament Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Augusta, Georgia. (MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF)

A double bogey on No. 18 pushed Matthew Fitzpatrick out of the conversation of potentially leading after the first day, but he showed poise in tough conditions Thursday.

Fitzpatrick racked up five birdies, including three in a row at one point, and shot 1-under-par 71 to sit in a contender’s spot after the first round. It’s a promising start for the 22-year-old from England, who tied for seventh in last year’s Masters Tournament.

“It’s a solid day, really. If you look at the leaderboard, no one’s really running away with it. It’s easy to place yourself out of it on a day like today,” Fitzpatrick said, hours before Charley Hoffman finished the round at 7-under-par 65.

Fitzpatrick strung together birdies on Nos. 8, 9 and 10. His approach shots to 9 and 10 were both to five feet. He birdied No. 14 by chipping in from nine yards off the green, and he added a birdie on No. 15 by hitting his third shot to seven feet.

He was poised to post one of the low rounds of the day until a short, errant tee shot on No. 18 resulted in a double bogey.

“It’s just one of those things that you just have to be patient and really plan your way around,” he said.

Masters Record