Fitzpatrick hoping to tie up Ryder Cup place

England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick kept himself in contention for a spot in the European Ryder Cup team as he fired a second consecutive 69 on day two of the D+D REAL Czech Masters in Prague.

The 21-year-old occupies the last of the nine qualifying places for the showpiece at Hazeltine next month and he headed into the weekend at Albatross Golf Resort at six-under, four shots behind Thomas Pieters and Jeff Winther.

The qualifying period ends at next week’s Made in Denmark, but Fitzpatrick is eager to get the job done with a tournament to spare.

“It’s a great start to the week for me,” he said. “I think everyone in the world knows it’s a big week this week, as is next week, so to start like that is very pleasing.

“At the minute, it’s in my hands. If I have a good week here and a good week next week then I’ll close it up. It would be nice to do it here if I’m honest.

“There’s still two weeks to go. A couple of boys are playing over in the States and a couple are playing here so I’ll just focus on my own game and see where we end up.”

Defending champion Pieters shot a 67 with Dane Winther signing for a 66 as they opened a fourshot gap to Fitzpatrick, his three fellow Englishmen Steven Brown, Tommy Fleetwood and David Howell, and Swedes Peter Hanson and Robert Karlsson.

Two more Englishmen – Ryan Evans and Richard McEvoy – were then at five-under alongside Scottish duo Craig Lee and Marc Warren.

Andy Sullivan will have to wait another week to try to secure his Ryder Cup place after missing the cut, while captain’s pick hopeful Lee Westwood was at two-under.