Staff WriterMarcel Siem is doing his best impression of a man with unfinished business, holding a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
The 43-year-old German stitched together a three-under 69 to add to his opening 66, reaching nine under par and keeping just ahead of 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
Siem’s round was part symphony, part heavy-metal solo. Starting from the Brabazon’s notorious tenth, he promptly missed the green with his opening shot but scrambled like a pub quiz team after the bonus round to save par.
He rolled in a tidy birdie on the par-three 12th, then really lit the place up with back-to-back birdies and a 22-foot eagle on the 17th that would have made Faldo himself raise an eyebrow.
Of course, golf being golf, the wheels wobbled. Bogeys at the 18th and second blotted the copybook, and even a birdie at the fifth was cancelled out by a bogey at the sixth. Still, Siem ended the day in front, muttering at himself but very much in control.
“My ego took over a little on the back nine because I hit really good shots. Felt like I could have shot a bit lower than today, so my ego took over a bit. That’s why you didn’t see me smiling,” Siem admitted. “Body feels great. That helps to keep the momentum, keep the same rhythm over 18 holes.”
Fitzpatrick Stalking the Leader
Lurking one shot back is England’s golden boy, Matt Fitzpatrick, who carved out a 69 of his own to reach eight under. The man from Sheffield, chasing a fourth Ryder Cup appearance, looked as steady as a metronome with ten consecutive fours to open.
“Felt like I played really solid. Ten fours in a row to start the day is always nice and steady,” said Fitzpatrick. “Wish there were a few more par fives there, but it was a good day all round. I felt like I never really put myself out of position and drove the ball really well off the tee. I think if you can do that, you give yourself a chance.”
He was just as effusive about the crowd, who were out in force at the Ryder Cup venue:
“The crowd were fantastic. We had a lot out there today following, and it’s amazing. It’s really nice to have that support. Just looking forward to the weekend… trying to manage my energy levels and take it easy.”
Ryder Cup Chasers in the Mix
Behind the marquee names, the plot thickens. Matt Wallace, another man hoping to catch Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup eye, sits two shots back at seven under, alongside New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori and South Africa’s Brandon Stone.
And as if the golf wasn’t wild enough, Spaniard Joel Moscatel decided to card an albatross at the 17th, reminding everyone that anything can happen on this course. In fact, 25 tee shots found the tenth green and 16 eagles or better were scribbled onto scorecards during day two.
That flurry of fireworks also meant the running total for Guide Dogs charity at the Betfred British Masters hit £77,500 after two rounds.
Weekend Forecast
With Siem grumbling at himself despite leading, Fitzpatrick steady as ever, and Wallace sniffing around with intent, The Belfry is shaping up for a weekend that could go anywhere.
Add in the carnival crowds and the small matter of Ryder Cup selections looming, and it’s fair to say the next 36 holes at the Betfred British Masters might be less about golf and more about who can keep their nerve when it matters most.
