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Three-way tie at European Masters

Crans-Montana - French rookie Romain Langasque surged into a three-way tie for the halfway lead at the European Masters in Switzerland on Friday following a sizzling seven-under-par 63 in his second round.

The 21-year-old, winner of last year's British Amateur Championship, charged to the top of the leaderboard after taking advantage of ideal morning conditions at the Crans-sur-Sierre course in the Swiss Alps.

Langasque, playing in just his fifth European Tour event, made five birdies and an eagle to climb to nine-under overall and sit level with Englishman Richard Bland and Australia's Richard Green.

"If I play good that's cool and if I play bad then it is no problem. I have nothing to lose. I have no pressure and maybe that's why I can play good," Langasque told Sky Sports.

"I'm quite sure I will be on the European Tour next year so I play without pressure.

"My hopes for the weekend? Win. I will try my best to win," added the Frenchman, who only turned professional in April after finishing 39th at the Masters.

Sweden's Alex Noren, who won the Scottish Open in July, matched Langasque's round of 63 with a flawless display featuring seven birdies to leave himself one stroke off the pace alongside Australian Scott Hend and Richard Lee of Canada.

Andrew Johnston is another shot back, but Masters champion Danny Willett, who won this event a year ago, struggled with inconsistency as a triple-bogey on the 12th hole bumped him down to three-under overall after a round of 72.

Willett is level with fellow Ryder Cup rookie Chris Wood, while Lee Westwood rebounded from a disappointing opening round by shooting a 66 on Friday.

Westwood, 43, will be making his 10th consecutive appearance in the Ryder Cup later this month as Europe seek to lift the trophy for the seventh time in eight contests when they take on the United States at Hazeltine in Minnesota.

Leading second round scores on Friday from the European Masters at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Course in Switzerland (GBR & IRL unless stated, par 70):

131 - Richard Bland 67-64, Richard Green (AUS) 65-66, Romain Langasque (FRA) 68-63

132 - Scott Hend (AUS) 65-67, Alex Noren (SWE) 69-63, Richard Lee (CAN) 67-65

133 - Alejandro Canizares (ESP) 69-64, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 66-67, Julien Quesne (FRA) 65-68, Andrew Johnston 65-68, Joachim Hansen (DEN) 65-68

134 - Marcus Fraser (AUS) 65-69, Callum Shinkwin 66-68

135 - Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) 67-68, Robert Rock 67-68, Nathan Holman (AUS) 72-63, Alexander Levy (FRA) 68-67, James Morrison 65-70, Li Haotong (CHN) 65-70, Gregory Havret (FRA) 64-71, Tommy Fleetwood 70-65, David Howell 67-68, Ross Fisher 72-63, Graeme Storm 66-69

Selected others:

137 - Chris Wood 69-68, Danny Willett 65-72

138 - Lee Westwood 72-66

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