The Norway midfielder made just 16 league starts in his side’s Premier League title-winning campaign last term.
The world number one’s 61 on Friday saw him open up a three-shot advantage at TPC Southwind.
Steve Borthwick’s team lifted their total of yellow cards for 2026 to 15 in eight Tests.
The 26-year-old attracted scathing criticism from several ex-England players during last winter’s Ashes series.
Having finished second in the Hungerford, Marco Botti is keen to get his head in front.