The two biggest names in the field are at the top of the leaderboard with 18 holes to play at the DS Automobiles Italian Open.
The reigning U.S. Open champion, Matt Fitzpatrick, leads Aaron Rai and recent FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy by one shot heading into Sunday at Rome’s Marco Simone GC, the host of the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Fitzpatrick experienced an up-and-down Friday, at one point making five birdies in a row. But, he also had five bogeys on the card. Saturday was a lot less adventurous, although he shot the same score, a 2-under 69.
After playing his first nine holes 1 over, the 28-year-old Englishman came home with a bogey-free 3-under 33.
With a win, Fitzpatrick would rise to No. 2 in the DP World Tour Ranking.
Italian Open: Leaderboard
McIlroy couldn’t get anything going Saturday, shooting an even-par 71. He mixed three bogeys with three birdies. Entering the week, the Northern Irishman was the heavy betting favorite at +360.
He was one of the runner ups to Shane Lowry last week at the BMW PGA Championship.
Sitting tied with McIlroy is Rai, who used two eagles and no bogeys to sign for a 6-under 65. The 27-year-old has won twice on the DP World Tour.
Lucas Herbert, Victor Perez and Kurt Kitayama are tied for fourth at 8 under.