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Wallace surges to four-stroke lead with 62 at Masters

Staff WritersAAP
Matt Wallace has put himself in a strong position with a superb 62 in Switzerland. (AP PHOTO)
Camera IconMatt Wallace has put himself in a strong position with a superb 62 in Switzerland. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP

England's Matt Wallace carded a brilliant 62 to open up a four-stroke lead after the second round of the European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre.

The 34-year-old, who came into the week as one of the favourites, moved out of a four-way tie for third following an opening 64 to give himself a healthy cushion on 14 under heading into the weekend.

He moved clear of overnight joint leader Alex Fitzpatrick, who followed up his 63 with a battling 67 which was spoiled by his only bogey of the day at the par-three 16th.

But that was good enough to keep him in second ahead of a third Englishman, Jordan Smith, who shot a 65, and Henrik Norlander.

Australia's Jason Scrivener slipped from one shot off the lead overnight but still finished the day seven under after his 69.

David Micheluzzi (72, 71) is three over and fellow Aussie Andrew Martin (77, 71) eight over.

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Wallace, whose last win on the Europe-based tour came almost six years to the week, is the only player bogey-free this week - a record helped by chip-in birdies at the fourth and fifth which sparked his round into life.

He picked up three more shots to turn in 30 and although the scoring slowed on the back nine, a burst of three birdies in three holes from the 14th was enough to propel him clear of his rivals.

Wallace he said he was concentrating on consistency rather than winning tournaments as he has a longer-term view of making next year's Ryder Cup team, after missing out on selection having been close in 2018 and 2023.

"It's not just about the win, it's playing well," said Wallace, who turned down an early approach from LIV Golf in 2022.

It was a different story for Fitzpatrick's brother Matt, however, as he tumbled down the leaderboard from three off the lead to sneak into the weekend right on the one-under cut line after a scruffy 73.

The former US Open winner looked out of sorts and his round was littered with as many audible expletives as bogeys (five).

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