Kjeldsen, Fitzpatrick lead at Woburn

Dane Soren Kjeldsen and England's Matthew Fitzpatrick shared the British Masters halfway lead on nine-under par at Woburn on Friday.

While Fitzpatrick is in his first full season on the European Tour, and searching for his first title, Kjeldsen is an old EPGA hand and is hoping to add this to his Irish Open success in May.

Rookie Fitzpatrick added a second round of 69 to his opening 64 while Kjeldsen signed for a 68 following his opening 65.

This duo are one shot clear of the chasing pack led by Briton Richard Bland, who shrugged off back pain, and Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat who both fired second consecutive 67s.

Kjeldsen, 40, and Fitzpatrick, 21, may be at different ends of the experience spectrum but they did have one thing in common on Friday -- stunning shots from off the green on the third on their way to five birdies, with the Englishman dropping one more shot than his Danish co-leader.

"I haven't looked at any boards, I didn't even realise I was leading," said Kjeldsen, who is 13th in the Race to Dubai.

"I just want to keep doing what I'm doing, I'm enjoying myself going through the process and I'm hitting some nice shots.

"The other guys, I can't tackle them, I can't steal their ball, I can't do anything about it so I may as well just concentrate on my stuff."

Overnight leader Fitzpatrick said he's not thinking yet about a breakthrough win.

"I wouldn't say it's something I'm concentrating on to be fair," said the 2013 US Amateur champion.

"I'm just playing one hole, one round at a time if I'm honest and the big thing me and (manager) Chubby (Chandler) have been talking about is just creeping up the World Rankings as much as possible.

"If the win doesn't come this week but I move up in the World Rankings, that's good enough for me so if I can just keep moving up slowly that will be great."

Source: AFP