European Open: Marcus Armitage stages late comeback to move into contention | Golf News | NEWSRUX

Marcus Armitage carded a two-under-par 70 in his opening spherical at Inexperienced Eagle Golf Programs on Thursday to complete the day three off the lead held by China’s Li Haotong and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren; Yorkshireman gained his first DP World Tour title in Hamburg final yr

England’s Marcus Armitage produced an excellent comeback to spice up his hopes of a profitable title defence within the Porsche European Open.

Armitage, who gained his first DP World Tour title in Hamburg final yr, was three over par after the primary 10 holes of his opening spherical at Inexperienced Eagle Golf Programs, however performed the remaining eight in 5 underneath to card a two-under-par 70.

That left the 34-year-old Yorkshireman simply three off the lead held by China’s Li Haotong and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren, with Victor Perez – winner of the Dutch Open on Sunday – half of a big group on three underneath.

“My first spherical because the defending champion was just a little ropey to start out with,” Armitage mentioned.

“I simply did not fairly have my golf swing however I caught in there. I made just a few essential putts after I wanted to and I caught hearth close to the tip. I am actually happy.”

Marcus Armitage carded a spherical of two-under-par 70

World quantity 41 Tommy Fleetwood, the very best ranked participant within the subject, carded a gap 75 which included a triple-bogey six on the seventeenth as his tried restoration from the sting of a lake ran again into the water.

Former champion Paul Casey has been sidelined since late March resulting from a again harm however made the journey to Hamburg as he’s an envoy for the match sponsors.

Casey instructed Sky Sports activities: “Medical doctors have mentioned at the very least one other three-plus weeks, perhaps five-plus weeks of not hitting golf balls.

“Bulging disks, bone edema; I do not perceive all of it however it’s only a very, very sore again proper now. I am not meant to be in extension and rotation, which is principally a golf swing.

“It is one thing I had again in 2018 and missed just a few weeks, it is only a extra acute expertise this time. It has been extremely irritating to overlook all of the majors up to now (and) I’ll miss extra.

“But when I wish to have an excellent finish to the season I’ve simply obtained to step away for just a little bit.”