England’s former US Amateur champion Matt Fitzpatrick and Pelle Edberg of Sweden shared the lead at the halfway stage of the Czech Masters on Friday.
Fitzpatrick, just 20, carded three birdies and an eagle in a round of 67, giving him an 11-under par total. That was matched late in the day by Edberg who likewise added a 67 to his opening 66.
Belgium’s big-hitting Thomas Pieters was in third place one shot behind, while three players, Sam Hutsby and Robert Dinwiddie of England, as well as Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen, are three shots off the lead heading into the weekend at the Albatross Golf Resort.
And it was a lot of fun playing with @EddiePepGolf and Michael Hoey! Highlight being the @Graeme_McDowell impression on 11
— Matt Fitzpatrick (@MattFitz94) August 28, 2015
“It was very consistent today,” said Fitzpatrick, who was runner-up in Switzerland last month and has four top-10 finishes already in his rookie season.
“I played nicely and hit a lot of greens again which is always important to keep making pars and then take your chances when you have them.
“I gave myself a few out there. I got a bit frustrated in the middle of the round when I wasn’t holing any putts. I missed a few chances but picked it up on the back nine.”
Edberg credited his fine form to his putting.
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“Like yesterday, I putted really well. I holed a lot of putts and it was good off the tee and had some nice irons, so it added up to a good score,” said the Swede. “I couldn’t be in a better position. I’m feeling pretty good and feeling comfortable about most parts of my game. I feel confident so I want to see how well I can do this week.”
Meanwhile, Vitek Novak marked his home event in style when he became the first Czech player in 21 years to make the cut at a European Tour event.
The 19-year-old amateur posted a four-under par second round of 68, which included three consecutive birdies from the fourth hole, for a three-under par total 141. Jiri Janda, at the 1994 Czech Open, was the last Czech golfer to reach the weekend of a Tour event.
“I’m very happy to shoot what I did today. It’s just amazing. The last Czech guy who made the cut was 21 years ago and I wasn’t born,” Novak said. “My goal was to make the cut. I am still in the process of getting better and better, and I’m hoping to go to college in the States to help me improve.”
