British Masters 2015: Matthew Fitzpatrick glad to take his time over first victory

Fitzpatrick holds a share of the lead at the British Masters at Woburn after a second-day 69

Matthew Fitzpatrick on his way to a tidy 69 and a share of the lead in the British Masters at Woburn yesterday (PA)

After the fireworks, the grind. Matthew Fitzpatrick won’t mind how he gets across the line for the first time –besides, history does not care about the margin of victory, just the “W” in the results column.

Fitzpatrick added a 69 to his opening 64 to retain a share of the lead at the British Masters on nine under par and maintain a healthy platform as he continues the pursuit of a maiden victory in his rookie year on tour.

Two birdies in his closing three holes spiced a comparatively modest day and drew him alongside Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen at the top of the Woburn leaderboard. Wisely, Fitzpatrick is adopting a low-key attitude towards the prospect of winning, choosing instead to concentrate on the process.

In the long run I want to be competing for majors and stuff like that

&#13; <p>Matthew Fitzpatrick</p>&#13;

“Hopefully it will just come with time. It’s not something that I’m absolutely chasing at the minute. I’m not focused on it. It’s more moving up the world rankings. If I don’t win between now and Augusta [in April], but get in [the Masters] through the rankings I’ll be a happy man,” he said. “Just getting in the majors, the world golf championships helps considerably.

“That’s where I want to be. I want to be competing in the long run for majors and stuff like that. It’s just a matter of taking my time. I’m only just 21 as well – that’s something everyone keeps telling me.”

Perhaps coming from Sheffield helps keep him grounded. He is certainly in no hurry to spend the €681,640 (£505,700) he has already banked this season. Most footballers his age would have the first hot hatch in the garage by now. Not this fellow.

“I’m still getting abuse for having a Ford,” he said. “That was something that Chris Wood decided to give me grief for yesterday. I’m working on it. Unfortunately, I just started having my good results after the good deals had finished. I’ll have to wait for next year now. Hopefully next time Chris Wood sees me driving, it will be in a nicer car.

“I can’t complain because the guy that gave it to me, he’s a member of my golf club and it’s just on his company. I only pay for petrol, so it’s a great deal. And it is great miles per gallon.”

That’s a proper Yorkshireman for you. His wheels aren’t even new. “It’s four or five years old. Sort of mine, sort of not.”

Somewhere around Woburn Ian “Ferrari” Poulter was shaking his head, and not only at Fitzpatrick’s automotive indifference.

The tournament host advanced his cause only by a stroke yesterday in a round that included a wild shank at the fifth hole, evincing this classic response: “It’s like someone smashing you around the head with a wet salmon. Out of the blue you turn around and get one of those slapped in your face.”

Poulter needed tidy par saves at the closing two holes for a 70 to finish five off the lead on four under par. It did not finish there. He went straight to the practice green to give a televised putting demonstration. Talk about fish to fry.

Poulter gets plenty of stick for sharing ways in which to divest himself of his millions in sundry car showrooms around the world. He loves his motors but not as much as his golf, which has been amply demonstrated this week.

A bogey at the last after watching his tee shot rebound off a tree on the left into a bunker on the right saw Luke Donald in with a 71 to close on three under par, the same score as Lee Westwood.