Fitzpatrick boosts his hopes of title defence

Matt Fitzpatrick did not let his omission from Europe’s Ryder Cup team knock him off track as he boosted hopes of a successful Omega European Masters title defence with a birdie-laden second round of 64.

The Englishman, who represented Europe at Hazeltine two years ago, was one of the contenders for a wild card spot in Thomas Bjorn’s side for Paris but was this week overlooked by the Dane.

However, the 24-year-old found comfort back at the familiar surroundings of Crans-Sur-Sierre, where he won the most recent of his four European Tour titles 12 months ago, and also finished runner-up in 2015.

After a relatively low-key 69 on the first day, he found his touch in some style yesterday, overcoming a poor start that included bogey fives on the first and fourth to drain eight birdies in 14 holes.

That saw him sign for a six-under-par 64 – his 13th under-par round out of 16 at the Swiss mountain resort – and left him seven under for the tournament, two shots behind leader Hidesto Tanihara (66) of Japan and joint-second with Dane Lucas Bjerregaard (65) and American newcomer Doug Ghim (65).

Fitzpatrick told the European Tour: “It was a great day.

“Got off to a bad start. Two over through four but that is one reason why I love this golf course, you know you can get it back. You’ve got chances coming in, so I was delighted to take them.

“It is nice to be up at altitude here. I think it will be an exciting weekend.”

His compatriot Danny Willett, the 2015 champion who is without a tournament win since claiming the Masters in 2016, was also up amongst the frontrunners after a 66 left him in a group on six under which also included Scot Stephen Gallagher (66).

Overnight leader Maximilian Kieffer dropped back to five under after making a one-over-par 71 on Friday.

Thomas Pieters, who like Fitzpatrick had also been mooted as a possible Ryder Cup wild card selection, had a day to forget.

The Belgian snapped his putter over his knee in frustration after twice finding water on the 14th and recording a quadruple-bogey nine, leaving him having to play the final few holes putting with a wedge.

Pieters ended up with a seven-overpar 77 and, at four over for the tournament, will not be involved this weekend.

Scot Stephen Gallacher is three off the lead after following his first day score of 68 with a four under par 66 taking him to six under.

David Drysdale is two shots further back on four under and Scott Jamieson is minus three.

After an opening four over 74, Drumoig’s Connor Syme recovered with an excellent round of 66 to put himself on even par for the tournament.

But unfortunately it wasn’t enough for him to avoid missing the cut that fell at one under. Also missing the weekend were fellow Scots Richie Ramsay, Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil and Marc Warren.

Picture: Getty. Matt Fitzpatrick has high hopes of defending the title he won last year after a fine second round yesterday.