Thomas Pieters and Jeff Winther share midway lead at Czech Masters

Defending champion Thomas Pieters remains well-placed for back-to-back Czech Open titles after moving into a share of the midway lead in Prague.

Pieters, who can still qualify for Europe's Ryder Cup side with wins in the next two weeks, carded five birdies during a bogey-free 67 to share the 36-hole advantage with Denmark's Jeff Winther.

The pair have opened up a four-shot cushion over the chasing pack, including fellow Ryder Cup hopeful Matt Fitzpatrick, after another day of impressive scoring at Albatross Golf Resort.

Resuming two adrift of first-round pacesetter Ryan Evans, Scott Jamieson took the early advantage after opening with three consecutive birdies.

A double-bogey from the Scot at the second allowed Evans to briefly reclaim his outright lead with a gain at the 15th, only for Fitzpatrick to move ahead of him by beginning his second nine with successive gains.

Fitzpatrick then bounced back from a sole blemish at the third to birdie the seventh and join Tommy Fleetwood, David Howell and Robert Karlsson in a share of the morning clubhouse lead on six under.

Winther took the afternoon initiative by following back-to-back birdies over his opening two holes with two more from the 13th, as Pieters picked up three strokes in a four-hole stretch from the fourth to stay in touch.

Soon after Pieters rolled in a 12-footer at the 10th to move in top spot, Winther temporarily moved three clear by posting an eagle-three at the first and adding a gain at the third.

Pieters closed the gap with a birdie-two at the 13th on his way to a blemish-free card, before a penultimate hole bogey from Winther left the pair all-square at the top.

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"I'm putting very well which I've been struggling with lately, so it's nice to see some midrange putts going in," Pieters told Sky Sports. "All I can do is my best this week and see where it brings me."

Fitzpatrick remains on course to secure Ryder Cup qualification this week after closing a second successive 69, with Steve Brown and Sweden's Peter Hanson joining the group four strokes adrift.

Lee Westwood recovered from a triple-bogey eight at the 12th to birdie two of his final three holes and close a level-par 72, while Andy Sullivan and European Ryder Cup vice-captain Thomas Bjorn missed the cut.

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