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Wallace turns up heat at British Masters

Southport - England's Matt Wallace opened up a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the British Masters on Friday before explaining that giving up pizzas has helped energise his rise up the rankings.

The world No 36 fired a second round 67 on a lightning-hit day in the English north-west as he targets a fifth European Tour title.

Wallace has recently started working with fitness expert Steve McGregor, who counts former world number ones Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood among his previous clients.

"I've got a brilliant team with the inclusion of Steve now, his history speaks for itself getting two players to world number one," the 29-year-old said.

"He's assessing what I'm doing during the week with my physio and we'll come up with a plan to get better and fitter and stronger and mentally stronger.

"For example, at Hilton Head recently after a first round of four over I'd go back and I'd be so annoyed and all I'd want to do is have a pizza and go to bed.

"Whereas if you look at the bigger picture it's not about that four over, it's about the long-term where you go back, don't worry about it, get some good food, good rest so you're better off the next day and that gives you the best chance of competing the next day."

At 12-under par, Wallace has a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Ross Fisher and Sweden's Niklas Lemke.

Lemke carded eight birdies in a row during from the 13th to the second to fall just one short of the mark set by former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia in 2009 and equalled by Australia's James Nitties in February's Vic Open.

Leading scores from Friday's second round of the European Tour British Masters at Hillside, England (par 72, GBR and IRL unless stated):

132 - Matt Wallace 65 67 

133 - Richie Ramsay 66 67, Ross Fisher 68 65, Niklas Lemke (SWE) 69 64, Thomas Detry (BEL) 66 67 

134 - Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 65 69 

135 - Matthew Jordan 63 72 

136 - Victor Dubuisson (FRA) 69 67, Maximilian Kieffer (GER) 69 67, Lee Westwood 66 70 

137 - Scott Hend (AUS) 68 69, Tommy Fleetwood 68 69, Guido Migliozzi (ESP) 70 67, Robert Macintyre 68 69, Ashley Chesters 68 69, Eddie Pepperell 70 67 

138 - Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 69 69, Robert Rock 69 69, Jack Singh Brar 67 71, Sean Crocker (USA) 67 71, Nacho Elvira (ESP) 70 68, Richard Sterne (RSA) 70 68

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