Marcel Siem will take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo after rounds of 66 and 69 left him at nine under par.
The 45-year-old German, starting his second round from the 10th tee, got off to a hot start with an eagle and three birdies in his first eight holes.
Bogeys at the 18th and second slowed his progress, but a birdie at the 5th briefly restored momentum before another dropped shot on the 6th left him at the top on nine under.
Major champion and Ryder Cup hopeful Matt Fitzpatrick heads a strong chasing pack just one stroke back after also carding a 69.
Fitzpatrick turned in level-par with one birdie and one bogey before picking up shots at the 11th, 13th and 15th. A bogey at 16 was quickly erased as he holed a 22-foot birdie putt at the last to finish in style.
Siem admitted frustration that he wasn’t able to capitalise fully after his fast start.
“It was a great start. My ego took over a little on the back nine because I hit really good shots,” he said. “On the 18th I got a bit unlucky with my drive, had a bad lie and missed the first short putt. Then on the 1st, I had two great shots and misread that putt.
“Same story on the next holes – just misreads. I felt like I could have gone a bit lower today. That’s why you didn’t see me smiling. I will be smiling soon.”
England’s Matt Wallace sits a further two back in a tie for third on seven under alongside New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori and South Africa’s Brandon Stone.
Wallace was pleased with his consistency, saying: “I felt like I played really solid. Ten fours in a row to start the day is always nice and steady. I wish there were a few more par fives, but it was a good day all around. I never really put myself out of position and drove the ball really well off the tee. If you can do that, you give yourself a chance.”
Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
