England's Alex Fitzpatrick birdied the first two holes as the US PGA Championship got under way in south-west Philadelphia. The 27-year-old, competing in just his second major, was in the leading group to tee off at 6.45am local time alongside local golf professional Braden Shattuck and American Ben Griffin.
Fitzpatrick split the fairway with his tee shot at the first before sinking a superb 28-foot birdie putt. At the par-four second, he spun his approach shot to within three feet for a simple birdie, setting the early pace.
The Sheffield native secured a two-year PGA Tour card with victory alongside his brother Matt at the Zurich Classic last month. Alex followed that win with ninth at the Cadillac Championship and fourth at last week's Truist Championship, while Ryder Cup regular Matt has three PGA Tour victories this season.
The pair are among a host of Europeans hoping to break the USA's grip on this major, with the last 10 winners all American. Leading that charge is Rory McIlroy, bidding for back-to-back majors after defending his Masters title last month. The Northern Irishman begins his quest for a seventh major alongside Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth.
