Justin Rose shares British Masters lead, Irish duo miss cut

Justin Rose has a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the Betfred British Masters as he seek a second title, 21 years after his first, on a day when Tom McKibbin and John Murphy missed the cut.

Rose admitted he was delighted with a "gutsy" 73 which kept him in contention at The Belfry.

The Englishman held a one-shot lead after a superb opening 65, but it was a different story on Friday as he covered his first 10 holes in four-over par.

However, the former world number one rallied to card four birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine and finished the day on six under, tied for the lead with France's Antoine Rozner.

"A good result out of the day I think and also generally feel pretty decent with how I played today," said Rose afterwards.

"Just three three-putts and one or two little errors which crept in but not too bad considering what was a tough afternoon.

"I did readjust and tried say to myself I can make three birdies coming in down the last seven holes and that's kind of how it played out.

"It was a good gutsy finish I suppose and dinner will taste good because of that. Through 36 holes I'm in a great spot."

Tom McKibbin (74) and John Murphy (81) finished five over and 12 over respectively.

LEADERBOARD

Rose and Rozner enjoyed a one-shot lead over a seven-strong group of players which included defending champion Thorbjorn Olesen, former Ryder Cup players Oliver Wilson and Andy Sullivan and English amateur John Gough.

Sullivan dodged a fine for swearing as he moved into contention for a fifth DP World Tour title with a second round of 68, the 37-year-old making five birdies in the space of six holes from the 12th.

Scotland's Ewen Ferguson and Robert MacIntyre lie two shots off the lead on four under par, while