Fife golfer Connor Syme made the cut at the Portugal Masters – his first tournament as a professional – after a second round 69 yesterday.

Fifer five-under going into weekend and six behind top Scot Warren

Connor Syme’s dream start to life as a professional continued yesterday, with the Fife golfer making the half-way cut at the Portugal Masters with plenty to spare.

The Drumoig player, who is making his first appearance in the paid ranks, followed up his opening day 68 with a second round 69 for an impressive fiveunder par 36-hole total.

A very good pay day could be in store tomorrow if Syme continues this form over the weekend.

He wasn’t top Scot, though. Marc Warren gave his chances of retaining his Tour card a much-needed boost with a superb 64.

He carded five birdies and an eagle at Victoria Clube de Golfe to finish 11 under par alongside Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard, a shot behind halfway leader Nino Bertasio.

After missing the cut in more than half his events this season, Warren began the week ranked 173rd in the Race to Dubai, with only the top 100 after the Valderrama Masters next month keeping full playing privileges.

“Conditions were perfect, I drove the ball well and after that it was just about trying to be patient,” Warren said.

“The flags were tucked away and the greens were quite firm so I was pleased with that side of my game.”

Bertasio carded six birdies in a second consecutive 65 and has dropped just one shot so far this week, with Bjerregaard also returning a bogey-free 65 on another day of low scoring.

Former champion Shane Lowry matched Warren’s 64 to lie three shots off the lead on nine under, with defending champion Padraig Harrington a shot further back after a second straight 67.

“I’m very happy,” Lowry, who has slipped to 86th in the world rankings, told Sky Sports.

“I felt quite rusty out there yesterday (Thursday) after four weeks off.

“I played my way into the round and then hit some shots when I finished and really hit it well so was looking forward to getting out there and did the business.

“I think score-wise 64 is my best round of the year. It’s a good time to start playing well, I’ve got a lot to play for the rest of the year.”

Former Masters champion Danny Willett also enjoyed a welcome return to form, the 29-year-old compiling his first round in the 60s since February, since when he had been a combined 83 over par in European Tour events

“I’m working hard, there’s still a lot of bad shots in there but the good is kind of creeping in there,” Willett said after a 65 which left him six under par.

“The processes and what we are working on feels better so it’s just about putting it into tournament conditions.”

Scott Jamieson is also six under par – and six off the lead – after successive rounds of 68.

Paul Lawrie and Russell Knox are two shots further back after the Scots pair carded back-to-back rounds of 69.

Heading home, however, are Duncan Stewart and David Drysdale, who both finished on one under, while Craig Lee was further back on five over.

Picture: Getty.

Marc Warren is showing impressive form in Portugal this week and a superb second round 64 has left him just one shot off the lead. The Scot is pictured lining up a putt on the ninth.