Tyrrell Hatton is leading the British Masters after shooting a superb seven-under-par 65 in the second round at The Belfry.
The 32-year-old Englishman is 10 under for the week and a shot clear of South Africa’s Brandon Stone, Spaniard Jorge Campillo and Ko Jeong-weon of France.
It is Hatton’s first start at a regular DP World Tour event since January after appealing against the sanctions imposed for playing LIV Golf events without permission.
The two-time Ryder Cup winner – clear favourite before the event – made eight birdies and just one bogey to put himself at the top of the leaderboard going into the weekend.
“We always say that we’ve left something out there – it’s never perfect, is it?” Hatton said.
“But I’m more than happy with seven under today. Ultimately it’s the first job done to make the cut and give yourself a chance going into the weekend and I’m happy with where we’re at.
“I still missed a few short ones, so it will be nice if I can not do that over the weekend. I just need to keep giving myself opportunities.”
Stone produced the round of the day, making nine birdies, including four in a row from the 14th to 17th, on his way to a magnificent 64.
England’s Paul Waring had a share of the lead after the first day, but a three-over second round, littered with bogeys, meant he slipped to two under.