Matthew Fitzpatrick, Soren Kjeldsen tied first after British Masters second round

Kjeldsen, 40, and Fitzpatrick, 21, may be at different ends of the experience spectrum but they did have one thing in common on Friday – stunning shots from off the green on the third on their way to five birdies, with the Englishman dropping one more shot than his Danish co-leader. That’s why I’m not a little further up that board.

The 40-year-old Dane has kept statistics and notes of every round since he was 11 years old, an approach which appears to be paying dividends this season with victory in the Irish Open and runners-up finishes in Sweden and Denmark, where he played his 500th European Tour event. “I would have been happy just to get it up and down, it was a good little shot”.

“We want to play more tournaments in Europe”, admitted former European number one Karlsson, who was denied a share of the lead by his solitary bogey of the day on the 18th.

“I’m not focused on it, it’s more about moving up the world rankings”. I’ll have to wait until next year now. “I’ve used the same ball and irons for three years and the driver for a year, so this is rare for me”.

“A good few people, including some friends, have pointed out to me this week already that I’m the bookies favourite and in the past I could have found myself getting caught up by that”, he said. But while Lowry looked comfortable Harrington revealed after his round that he struggled somewhat dealing with a variance in his set-up that involves changing his hip position at address.

The golfer known as the “Postman” for his ability to deliver spectacular performances in the Ryder Cup was as nervous as a kitten over his opening tee shot at Woburn, his home course. I just want someone that’s very supportive, encouraging and upbeat. “I’d dearly love a (British Open) Claret Jug of course but an event like the British Masters would come a close second”. I know what I have to do. You have to manage those, but you can have the buzz on that first tee because you’ve spent a bit of time.

Poulter went from the ridiculous to the sublime by producing what he described as one of the best up and downs of his career to get away with a par four at the 13th.