Matt Fitzpatrick defence starts with a splutter at Andalucia Open in Valderrama

US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick vowed to risk a more aggressive approach after a poor start to the defence of his Andalucia Masters title.

Fitzpatrick claimed his seventh DP World Tour title at Valderrama last year, but struggled to an opening three-over-par 74 on Thursday to lie eight shots off a five-way tie for the lead and four behind younger brother Alex.

"I just felt like I got Valderrama-ed today," Fitzpatrick said.

"I counted there to Billy (Foster, his caddie) on the last that I had six tee shots where I had to chip out sideways, played those in four over and a soft bogey on the last to shoot three over.

"Outside of those I played solid enough but it's just the way the golf course is; hit it in the wrong spots and you don’t have a shot."

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Fitzpatrick still rates Valderrama as a "great golf course" and believes patience will remain the key for players in contention, but added on Sky Sports: "It’s a little bit different for me now.

"I’m a bit behind the eight ball so I need to shoot a low one tomorrow (Friday) to get back in contention. There will probably be a little bit less patience and little bit more aggressive playing to try and make up a score.

"It’s not really a golf course you can push round; there are a couple of holes where you can be a bit more aggressive but on the whole you’ve got to plot your way around, but when you need birdies you’ve got to try and do something."

David Horsey, last year’s runner-up Min Woo Lee, Jazz Janewattananond, Pep Angles and Soren Kjeldsen all shared the lead after shooting five under 66s.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, who won the Italian Open last month, was one shot off the lead alongside Spain’s Adrian Otaegui.

Jonathan Caldwell is the only Irish man in action and he is