Betfred British Masters Round 2 Leaderboard

Matt Fitzpatrick may have never played at The Belfry prior to this week but the Englishman has shown an immediate liking for the Warwickshire turf after two rounds at the Betfred British Masters. 

Fitzpatrick, 30, carded a second-round 69 on Friday, highlighted by a 25-footer for birdie on the iconic par-4 18th, to move into solo second on 8-under par heading into the weekend.

The 2022 US Open champion trails Germany's Marcel Siem by one thru two rounds.

Siem also posted a 69 to move to the top of the board on 9-under par.

Fitzpatrick cannot earn an automatic spot on Luke Donald's 2025 European Ryder Cup team but he is expected to receive one of his six captain's picks next month.

The Englishman has made a big equipment switch this week with a new driver, and it very much appears to be working wonders for him. 

Fitzpatrick made five birdies in his round, which was capped off with a brilliant putt on the tough par-4 18th.

Matt Wallace joined the 69 club on Friday to progress into a tie for third on 7-under par alongside Brandon Stone (69) and Kazuma Kobori (68).

Wallace has an outside chance of earning a captain's pick, but he will likely need to win this week for any chance to throw his hat into the ring. 

Fitzpatrick's younger brother Alex Fitzpatrick is also in contention on 6-under par after carding a 69. 

Elsewhere, Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard battled to a 71 to move to 7-under par in a tie for 16th.

As it stands, that is good enough for Hojgaard to earn the sixth and final automatic spot on the European Ryder Cup team.

Hojgaard needs to finish T29 or better to earn a debut appearance at the Ryder Cup.

Should Hojgaard finish outside the top 30 then Shane Lowry will maintain the final automatic spot.

It is expected that both Hojgaard and Lowry will make Donald's team no matter what happens this weekend.

Donald, who missed the cut at the British Masters, will announce his six picks on Monday 1 September.