England’s Matt Fitzpatrick posted a three-under-par 69 to put himself in firm contention at the British Masters, moving just one shot behind leader Marcel Siem heading into the weekend.

The 2022 US Open champion rolled in his fifth birdie of the day from 22 feet on the 18th green at the Belfry after Siem also signed for a 69 – the German being helped by a 22-foot putt of his own for eagle at the par-five 17th.

“It was a good day all round,” said Fitzpatrick, who is hoping to earn a captain’s pick to appear for Europe at the Ryder Cup next month.

“I never really put myself out of position and drove the ball really well off the tee. If you can do that, you will give yourself a chance.

“I feel like my irons have been better. I didn’t chip and putt well at the start of the year and when you hit your irons better and start putting well it is a nice recipe for success.”

Siem sits on nine under, with Fitzpatrick eight under.

Englishman Matt Wallace, who also harbours hopes of featuring at Bethpage Black in New York for Europe, is at seven under alongside New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori and South Africa’s Brandon Stone.