by CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — England’s Matt Wallace shot an 8-under-par 62 with no bogeys after 36 holes to take a four-shot lead at the Omega European Masters on Friday.
Wallace, ranked 91st, who won the last of his four European Tour titles six years ago, birdied five holes in six – including back-to-back chip-ins at Nos. 4 and 5 – to close his first nine holes, then three in a row from No. 14 in his clinic at Golf Club de Crans-sur-Sierre in the Alps.
“This is going to sound crazy,” Wallace said, “but golf is a crazy game. I’ve missed some opportunities, really.”
He finished 14 under par overall, which is equal to or better than three of the last six winning scores in the event, and already appears to be thinking about qualifying for European captain Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team for next year’s matches.
“It’s not just about winning, it’s about playing well,” Wallace said. “Luke wants you to play well and I want to play well. So I’m going to try to play well every day and whatever comes from that will come from that.”
The Fitzpatrick brothers, meanwhile, had mixed fortunes in the second round.
Alex Fitzpatrick shot a 67 after an opening 63 and was Wallace’s closest challenger, while older brother Matt Fitzpatrick – the former US Open champion and the better-known of the siblings – shot a 3-over 73 and made the cut at 1 under par overall.
Jordan Smith (65) and Henrik Norlander (67) were tied for third at 9 under for the tournament.
