Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick keeps his lead at the British Masters, but shares it with Soren Kjeldsen as both finish nine-under after the second round at Woburn.
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Englishman Fitzpatrick, 21, started the day at the top of the leaderboard on his own and a two-under-par 69 gave him a nine-under total of 133, the same as experienced Dane Kjeldsen (68).
Fitzpatrick, aiming to become the youngest-ever victor of the $4.55 million event, was unable to repeat his swashbuckling opening-day 64 and admitted there were times when he simply had to “grind” his way round.
On Friday, Fitzpatrick had a troubled start by dropping a shot on the first hole, but he recovered by scoring four birdies.
Bland looked to be falling out of contention when he started his round with two bogeys, but bounced back with five birdies and an eagle on the 11th in his 67, despite needing treatment for a back injury on the course.
Fitzpatrick is in his first full season on the European Tour after coming through the qualifying school last November, but is now 36th on the Race to Dubai after three top-three finishes in his last seven events. But he is still seeking his first victory. I hit it really nice and scrambled well when I needed to.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry, victor of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio in August, was handily placed on seven-under 135 while 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell was two strokes further back. I have said to everyone it’s not something I am absolutely chasing and focusing on.
Poulter went from the ridiculous to the sublime by producing what he described as one of the best up and downs of his career to get away with a par four at the 13th.
“I was lucky enough to play there as an amateur”.
“I was a bit uncomfortable with the new set-up but I worked my way through it and hopefully I can be a lot more comfortable over the next three days”, he said.
He said: “It was pretty tough out there today for me”.
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The British Masters returned to the European Tour schedule for the first time since 2008 with Poulter, Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose taking turns to act as tournament host at different venues.
