Fitzpatrick’s Eagle at 16 Lifts Him Into Early Open Co-Lead

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick surged into a share of the early lead at the first round of the 2025 Open Championship on Thursday, holing his approach shot for an eagle on the par-3 16th to move to four-under par through 16 holes. Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke earlier provided home-crowd excitement with a chip-in birdie, but it was Fitzpatrick’s slam-dunk eagle at the hole known as “Calamity Corner” that put him alongside the pacesetters as afternoon groups made the turn.