Matthew Fitzpatrick's love affair with Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club continued as he moved into a share of second heading into the weekend at the Omega European Masters.
The defending champion missed the cut on his first visit to the mountains in 2014 but finished second in 2015 and seventh in 2016 before winning his fourth European Tour title here last year.
The Englishman bogeyed two of his first four holes but then made eight birdies to record his seventh sub-65 round in 16 attempts and sit just two shots behind 36-hole leader Hideto Tanihara.
“It was a great day,” he said. “Got off to a bad start, I wouldn’t even call it a slow start, 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 on the short par fours coming up after that, a couple par fives on your back nine and you’ve got chances coming in, so I was delighted to take them.
“I would say it’s probably as hard as I’ve seen it this year just because it’s so firm but I think yesterday morning was a good chance to go low because it was soft and being first out but I managed to do it this afternoon. I think it will be an exciting weekend.
“I’ll just play my own game, stick to the plan for each hole. I would say I probably play the golf course more aggressively than most people and I think I kind of know what I’m doing around here which is nice, so hopefully it kind of plays into my hands.”
Lucas Bjerregaard was alongside Fitzpatrick at seven under after a 65, although a bogey on the last took some of the gloss off his effort.
Despite that disappointment, the big-hitting Dane was delighted to maintain some momentum in his game after arriving in Switzerland off the back of two top tens.
“It was very solid today,” he said. “A little disappointing now, it would have been nice to keep the card clean but unfortunately I hit a bad tee-shot on 18, had to chip out and not much I could do there.
“I played lovely today, a lot of fairways and a lot of greens, it was very stress-free so I would love for that to continue over the weekend.
“I’m very excited. I played well in Denmark last week, coming off two top tens, so feeling like the game is getting in good shape. I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
Completing the group in second was Doug Ghim who was playing just his second regular European Tour event after turning professional in June.
The 22 year old earned low amateur honours at the Masters Tournament after finishing second at the 2017 US Amateur and is enjoying his early taste of life in the paid ranks.
“I didn’t know I was in the field until Wednesday last week right before Denmark, so it was a bonus just to be here and I am just thankful to take advantage of it,” said the American after a 65.
“Coming out of my amateur career I didn’t know what to expect or how different it would be and it has been quite the learning experience but I feel like I finally have my footing a little bit, so just excited for what’s to come.
“I am really excited. Very thankful to the European Tour to give me this opportunity and I’m just trying to learn as much as I possibly can.”
