No FIFA but Hatton still on the ball
TYRRELL HATTON was annoyed at missing the launch of FIFA 18 but is on course for a real trophy at the halfway stage of the British Masters.
On the day the latest version of the game was released, Hatton added a second round of 65 to his opening 63 at Close House as English players filled seven of the top nine places in the £3million event.
At 12 under, Hatton enjoyed a three-shot lead over tournament host Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Ashley Chesters, Chris Hanson and Robert Karlsson, with Graeme Storm and Lee Slattery on eight under with Finland’s Mikko Ilonen.
Rory McIlroy could only add a 69 to his opening 67 to lie eight shots off the pace on four under alongside former US Masters champion Danny Willett.
Hatton said: “I’m absolutely devastated I can’t play FIFA 18. It’s just as well I’m away another few weeks otherwise I’d probably waste 12 hours a day on it.
“I’m looking forward to getting home and playing it but at the same time I’m really looking forward to the weekend ahead.
“It’s good to be back in form with a big run of events coming up with huge world ranking points. I’d like to play as well as I can and climb up the rankings.”
Westwood added a 65 to his opening 66 and has yet to drop a shot this week despite coping with the demands of hosting the event.
The former world No.1 said: “It was nice to stand on that first tee yesterday and see so many people here and the course in such great condition, and then it was nice to play so well.
“I like my position going into the weekend and I guess it’s nice for the host to be in contention.
“I’ve been busy for a year basically, then very busy for the past week and extremely busy for the past three days, so when I slipped my spikes on yesterday afternoon it was a bit of a relief to actually be a golfer again.
“To come up here and not have somebody asking where we’re putting a tee or where we’re putting a flag.”
Poulter celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary by also shooting a 65 to move into contention for a first victory since 2012.
Richie Ramsay added a second 67 to sit six shots off the lead.
Fellow Scot Scott Jamieson is two shots further back alongside McIlroy after two 68s.
Marc Warren hit a 67 for a three under total, while Duncan Stewart (67), David Drysdale (67) and Stephen Gallacher (69) just made the cut on two under.