Matt Fitzpatrick takes solo lead

Matt Fitzpatrick followed up his opening 63 with a 65 to take a one-shot lead at 12-under into the weekend at the Omega European Masters.

“First nine I played fantastic,” said the Englishman. “Just carried on where I left off yesterday. Front nine I didn’t give myself too many chances, a little bit scrappy. A couple of pins that didn’t feel like they suited me. Disappointed to only shoot level par on the front given the scoring opportunities but in a good position going into the weekend.

“After Memphis we talked about a few things with the driver, that has been the key. My irons have been good all year, much better than they have been the last few years. Driver has always been my strength, so we knew that was what was letting me down so spent a good bit of time on that.

“Felt like we found something in Memphis, kicked on in Chicago and played pretty solid in Atlanta as well. This is the third week in a row where I feel comfortable with where it’s at and what we’ve done.”

Fitzpatrick needs a tie for seventh with one other or better to make the Ryder Cup team via the World Points List. Four players can mathematically qualify through the European Points List this week.

Sweden’s Alexander Björk carded a 64 and lies in solo second place at 11-under.

“It was a good day, played very solid, continued the good play from yesterday,” he said. “Holed a few good putts on the front nine. Was a little bit unlucky around the turn but managed to stay patient and overall a good day.

“I don’t think the putting is that good but it’s been solid. When you have that feeling that is good, the hole doesn’t feel like a bucket but last week I found a few things that were working. It’s definitely been better than it was before the break but still feels like there is a little bit to work on.”

Fitzpatrick’s younger brother Alex carded a bogey-free 65 for a share of third place at 10-under alongside Frenchman Romain Langasque who also shot a 65.

Poland’s Adrian Meronk, who needs a tie for second with one other to have a chance at making the Ryder Cup team, is tied in fifth place at 9-under after carding a 64 featuring nine birdies, a bogey and a double bogey at the par-4 18th.

Tied alongside Meronk are Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg (67) and Italy’s Renato Paratore (64).