Golf: Eddie Pepperell leads after second round the British Masters

Eddie Pepperell leads after the second round of the British Masters at a windy Walton Heath Golf Club on Friday, as Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood suffered a nightmare day on the greens. Fleetwood and Pepperell were part of a four-way tie for the lead after opening rounds of 67, but while the former slumped to a birdie-free 77 to fall eight shots off the pace, Pepperell's 69 gave him a halfway total of eight under and a three-shot lead over compatriot Matt Wallace. France's Julien Guerrier was also five under with three holes remaining when play was suspended on Friday evening due to darkness. Pepperell won his first European Tour title in Qatar earlier this season and has also recorded two runners-up finishes and tied for sixth in the Open at Carnoustie, despite playing the final round with a hangover. Pepperell shot a closing 64 at the Scottish Open Gullane and it took a stunning 60 from Brandon Stone to deny him the title, but such form has taken the 27-year-old from Oxford to 50th in the world rankings. He could move inside the top 35 with a victory on Sunday (14th October), but Pepperell insists he will not be treading the well-worn path to the PGA Tour which such an elevated status makes possible.