Matt Fitzpatrick leads at Omega European Masters as brother Alex runs close behind | Golf News

Matt Fitzpatrick took the outright lead in Switzerland after holding a share in a single day, because the race for the Ryder Cup heats up with a bunch of gamers are in competition to qualify; watch the Omega European Masters on Sky Sports activities Golf from 11.30am on Saturday

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Highlights from the second spherical of the Omega European Masters on the Golf-Membership Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland.

Matt Fitzpatrick celebrated his twenty ninth birthday by claiming the midway lead within the Omega European Masters, with brother Alex scorching on his heels.

Fitzpatrick added a second spherical of 65 to his opening 63 at Crans-sur Sierre to achieve 12-under par, a shot forward of Sweden’s Alexander Bjork.

Youthful brother Alex returned a second consecutive 65 to share third place with France’s Romain Langasque on 10 below, with Ryder Cup contenders Adrian Meronk and Ludvig Aberg one other stroke again.

“The primary 9 I performed implausible, simply carried on the place I left off yesterday,” stated Fitzpatrick, who will substitute Tommy Fleetwood within the ultimate automated qualifying place on the World Factors record with a top-six end.

“I am disillusioned clearly to solely shoot stage par on the entrance given the scoring alternatives, however I am in place going into the weekend.”

Requested concerning the prospect of battling his brother for the title over the weekend, the previous US Open champion stated: “It is bizarre competing for a match as a result of we by no means did it in juniors.

“I used to be asking Nicolai (Hojgaard) if he and Rasmus did it and he stated they did in juniors, however they’re the identical age and we’re 4 years aside. We have by no means actually skilled it earlier than – it will be a nightmare for my mother and father.”

Matt Fitzpatrick alongside brother Alex Fitzpatrick on the PGA Zurich Basic earlier this season (AP Picture/Gerald Herbert)

Alex Fitzpatrick, who’s making a primary begin in an occasion his brother has gained twice earlier than, joked: “It have to be within the genes.

“What’s to not like? The course is in wonderful form, you are one million miles up within the mountains, stunning views, only a nice a part of the world. It is a tremendous week to date and simply making an attempt to get pleasure from each second.”

Meronk had the prospect to card simply the second 59 in DP World Tour historical past when he lined his first 15 holes in 9 below on the par-70 structure, however three-putted the seventeenth and made a double bogey on the final after his tee shot seemingly acquired caught up a tree.

The Pole wants to complete in a tie for second with only one participant or higher to have an opportunity of changing Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre on the European Factors record, with MacIntyre scraping by way of to the weekend on three below.

“I am proud of the best way I’ve fought the final two weeks and I’ve acquired a weekend to battle for it once more and that is what I will do,” stated MacIntyre, who performed alongside Meronk over the primary two days.

“The final two Thursday-Friday attracts have been troublesome with the thoughts and every little thing that is occurring, however over the weekends I type of free myself up and let rip and the course is there for the taking.”

Watch the Omega European Masters on Sky Sports activities Golf from 11.30am on Saturday, and the remainder of the match throughout the weekend. Stream the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup and more for £26 a month for 12 months with NOW.