A birdie-birdie finish helped ensure Matt Wallace will play the final two rounds of the BMW PGA Championship after firing a second round of 69 at Wentworth.

With the halfway cut set to come at one-under-par at the European Tour’s showpiece event, the Moor Park professional had little margin for error after playing the 16th in that score.

But with two par fives to finish – and as a long hitter off the tee – Wallace capitalised on the opportunities to make four on both closing holes to move up into a share of 38th place at the time of writing on three-under, nine shots behind leader Rory McIlroy.

Following his level-par opening round of 72, the 28-year-old had gained one shot on the front nine – making an eagle on the par five fourth hole and a three on the par four eighth, but two of those shots were given back with bogey fives on three and six.

Moor Park club-mate Callum Shinkwin has missed out on the final two rounds though, after following up yesterday’s 74 with a 73 to finish on three-over-par.