Matt Fitzpatrick claimed five straight birdies on the front nine to shoot up the leaderboard at the $9m Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club near North Berwick.

The Englishman shot three-under in his first round at the East Lothian links course on Thursday and followed that up with another superb sub-par performance today.

In-form Fitzpatrick went round the tricky par-70 course in five-under to slip into second spot on the leaderboard.

Beside him was world No 1, Scottie Scheffler, who finished level par for the two rounds and was not expected to make the cut. It was protected at minus two. He was two-under after Round 1.

Also in the threesome was English golfer, Tommy Fleetwood, who shot an even-par round to finish his first two rounds on minus three overall thanks to a 67 on day one.

Fitzpatrick acknowledged that he had made “a pretty good start” to the star-studded tournament on a course he acknowledged he has played well on before.

The former US Amateur champion, reflected: “So far so good.”

On his run of five birdies in a row early in his round – they came at 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 after he started from the tenth, a run of 3, 4, 3, 3 and 2 – the player, who represents the Bears Club, said: “Normally, they come two or three in a row which is a great boost to your score. Five is out of bounds.”

The 31-year-old has enjoyed a great season so far, rising to fourth in the PGA Tour, world rankings, and he acknowledged that he is playing some of the best golf of his professional career.

Fitzpatrick said: “I am trying to manage the rest of it the best I can, the physical and mental stuff.”

Overall, he reflected on a good day at the office on the course which he said was firmer this year.

Getting off to such a good start, he said, is always a boost to get you into a round.

Today, the Sheffield-born player hit a lot of fairways and indicated that the wind was picking up and blowing in a different direction, that was why he he put a three-iron back in in bag.

So, a happy Yorkshireman went to put his feet up after an 8.28am start and he had no plans to head for the practice ground.  

SMILES BETTER: Matt Fitzpatrick being interviewed by Sky Sports Tim Barter after his round of 65 which took him to second on the leaderboard at the Genesis Scottish Open. Picture Nigel Duncan