9/2 Fitzpatrick eyes Memphis glory

Matthew Fitzpatrick is keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite opening up a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational (Fitzpatrick 9/2 – Outright Betting).

The 24-year-old Englishman signed for a superb 64, which included seven birdies and just one dropped shot, to put some daylight between himself and the chasing pack.

Four players sit on -7, with US duo Patrick Cantlay (6/1) and Billy Horschel (10/1) plus Spain’s Jon Rahm (5/1) and Cameron Smith (14/1) of Australia all well within striking distance for a run at glory over the weekend.

World number 76 Shugo Imahira (30/1), who plays on the Japanese Tour, is in sixth spot on -6, with six players, including a quartet of big-hitters, grouped together at five-under par.

English pair Justin Rose (16/1) and Ian Poulter (50/1), with rounds of 68 and 69 respectively, plus Americans Brooks Koepka (9/1) and Bubba Watson (33/1) are on that mark and look in prime position to make a move on Saturday.

However, it was all about Sheffield’s Fitzpatrick on Friday and he hopes to maintain his form over the next 36 holes to try and land his first WGC title.

“I definitely think if you can just keep giving yourself a lot of chances, playing to the smart areas of the green, hopefully there should be less mistakes,” he said.

“Obviously I’d love to win. Winning a WGC is a goal of mine, but we’re only halfway through the tournament, so hopefully just keep pushing on and see where we end up.”

Rory McIlroy (12/1) has bounced back from a missed cut at the Open to make the weekend but on -4 he will need something special to mount a serious challenge over the next 36 holes.

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