The British Masters is continuing to build to an exciting conclusion this weekend after a second round of low scoring saw some of the biggest names in the event continue to come to the fore at The Grove.

Richard Bland leads the field overnight after shooting the round of the day with a seven-under-par 64 which was just one shot short of equalling Tiger Woods’ course record of 63, set at the World Golf Championship event in 2006.

The Englishman had only picked up one shot in his first nine holes, but a scintillating second nine saw him sink six birdies and overtake Alex Noren and Andrew Johnston, who had jointly led the way after the morning’s play on ten-under-par.

Sweden’s Noren had been on track to potentially equal the course record until he double bogeyed his final hole to finish with a 65, the same as Johnston, whose popularity with the fans continues to shine through as the now customary chants of ‘Beef’ rang out regularly around the course.

Those three will be the last group off at 12.05pm tomorrow, but there are numerous players waiting to pounce within a few shots off the lead.

Closest on nine-under are Tommy Fleetwood and another two players who shot 65s today, Scott Jamieson and Anthony Wall.

Three shots back are the quartet of Chris Wood, Richard Sterne, Tyrrell Hatton and Brand Weisberger, while Peter Hanson, Lee Westwood and Marc Warren are one further adrift on seven-under.

Following his poor first round yesterday, tournament host Luke Donald failed to make the cut, but there will be local representation on the final weekend after Bushey’s Callum Shinkwin birdied 18 to make the last two rounds by one shot.