England’s Tyrrell Hatton superbly opened-up a three shot leading cushion midway on day two of the British Masters at Close House in Newcastle – https://closehouse.com/british-masters/
Hatton, 25 battled rain and cold conditions early in the round before adding a five-under par 65 to his opening 63 and move to 12-under par.
After starting his round birdie, bogey the World No. 29 then capped his morning with five birdies from his third to ninth holes and ended as the sun began to break through.
Hatton arrived in the north-east of England struggling with his game having missed the cut in four of his past six events and only managing to turn it around with a share of third in his last event in Switzerland
“I was very happy with that round as it was pretty tough out there this morning with the rain coming down,” he said.
“I am a lot more comfortable with my game as I got a lot of confidence from my result in Switzerland after a poor summer.
Oouch! Tyrrrell Hatton lucky not to get his hand burnt after admitting he had a hot putter on day two of the British Masters. (Photo – European Tour)
“I have hit a lot of good iron shots and the putter feels good as it has been very cold for some time”.
Hatton’s 36-hole effort is also timely as he heads north next week to defend a maiden Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Four players – the England trio of Lee Westwood (65), Ian Poulter (65) and Ashley Chesters (66) and Sweden’s Robert Karlsson (65) – were in the clubhouse at nine-under par.
Tournament host Westwood produced a second straight bogey-free display and grabbing three birdies in succession from his fourth hole in a round of 65 and move to nine-under par.
“I am very pleased with my round, so really happy,” he said.
“The thing I do know the golf course so well and I would go around hitting driver of most holes and playing like carless golf or care-free golf, if you want to call it that, but this week there is more 3-woods and rescue clubs off the tee.”
Poulter, and on the day of his 10th wedding anniversary, celebrated the occasion with four birdies in succession from his third hole.
“It was a little drizzly and with the rain on-and-off for most of the morning but I got off to a decent start with four birdies in a row which was quite nice,” he said.
“I didn’t turn all that well but had some decent up-and-downs and while disappointed to take bogey on my 16th, a 65 is a pretty decent score given the conditions as the course has taken quite a bit of water.”
World No. 6 Rory McIlroy was out in the afternoon half of the draw and had retired Newcastle FC legend, Alan Shearer as a supporter.
Masters champion, Sergio Garcia faced an anxious afternoon wait to see if he will make the cut after scores of 70 and 60.
The Spaniard could manage just one birdie on day two but also 17 pars.
However missing from the weekend rounds in the Stg 3m ($US 4.02m) event will be defending champion, Alex Noren of Sweden with scores of 71 and 72 for three-over par tally.
Also set to sit out the weekend rounds is Florida-based Scot Russell Knox whose miserable season continues with scores of 74 and 68.
And Race to Dubai leader, Tommy Fleetwood is celebrating after his partner and also manager, Clare gave birth to the couple’s first child, a boy they have named Franklin.
Fleetwood tweeted: “The most beautiful and proud moment of my life! Franklin Fleetwood born at 12.33 on 28/9/17 at 7pounds 6ounces”.
