British Masters 2016: Friday Leaderboard Scores and Highlights
Richard Bland stormed to the top of the leaderboard at the 2016 British Masters on Friday, posting a score of 11-under par at the halfway point.
The Englishman caught fire after the turn, picking up six birdies on the back nine. One earlier on the second gave him an unblemished card and a 64, the lowest round of the day.
Alex Noren and Andrew Johnston are a further shot back after fine rounds on Day 2. The duo both shot 65 to move to the summit of the leaderboard for much of the day before Bland's tremendous late run.
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A fascinating weekend looks to be in store at the British Masters, with some quality players in contention for this coveted title. Here’s how things stand after Day 2 and a closer look at Friday’s action.
| 1. | Richard Bland | -11 | 64 |
| T2. | Alex Noren | -10 | 65 |
| T2. | Andrew Johnston | -10 | 65 |
| T4. | Anthony Wall | -9 | 65 |
| T4. | Tommy Fleetwood | -9 | 65 |
| T4. | Scott Jamieson | -9 | 67 |
| T7. | Chris Wood | -8 | 66 |
| T7. | Richard Sterne | -8 | 68 |
| T7. | Tyrrell Hatton | -8 | 66 |
| T7. | Bernd Wiesberger | -8 | 66 |
Full leaderboard is available via the European Tour website.
Brilliant Bland Sets the Pace
At the end of Day 1, Mikko Ilonen, Marc Warren, Richard Sterne and Tommy Fleetwood were locked in a four-way tie for the lead. So it’s something of a surprise to see new names at the top of the leaderboard.
Noren made his impression very early on. The Swede is the highest ranked player currently in the field at the The Grove, Hertfordshire, England, and he showed exactly why with a blistering beginning to his round, making six birdies in his first 10 holes.
As we can see here courtesy of the European Tour Twitter feed, Noren was in sensational form with the putter:
Noren occupied top spot for much of the morning on his own, although his round finished on a downer; he was on for an eight-under par 63, although some sloppy play at the ninth, his last of the day, meant he took a double-bogey six.
Nevertheless, Noren was happy with the overall standard of his play. “Sometimes it goes like that,” he said, per the European Tour website. “I’m happy about today. I played a lot better than yesterday.”
The popular Johnston, affectionately known as “Beef” matched the Swede, though. His card contained eight birdies, with dropped shots at the fourth and eighth the only blots on his card.
While Noren struggled to hole out at the ninth, the Englishman made this putt to tie the lead:
“I'm very happy,” the upbeat Johnston said afterwards, per the European Tour website. “I thought I played well yesterday in the wind and managed to make a few more birdies today.”
The duo looked set to lead the way into the weekend, but Bland gave those spectators that had lasted the day something special to savour late on.
After a solid front nine, the 43-year-old found his very best on the turn for home. All facets of his game flourished in those final nine holes, and with a birdie needed at the last to take the outright lead, he grasped the opportunity; Bland may never get a better chance to win his first European Tour title.
Further down the field there are some big names, too. Lee Westwood is one, and while he’s four shots back on seven-under for the tournament, he gave those in attendance a reminder of his quality after a difficult Ryder Cup, per the European Tour Twitter feed:
Veteran David Howell may not be in the title mix, although he was very unfortunate not to ace the 13th hole, as we can see:
Last year's champion, Matt Fitzpatrick, isn't quite out of the running yet either, although he has some work to do over the weekend if he's to recover a nine-shot deficit.
English pair Chris Wood and Tyrrell Hatton will also be expected to feature late on Sunday. Both are well set on eight-under and will feel confident of challenging for the title should they enjoy a prosperous Day 3.
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