Thomas Pieters, Jeff Winther share midway lead at Czech Masters

Thomas Pieters has kept himself in contention for back-to-back Czech Masters titles after moving into a share of the midway lead in Prague.

The Belgian, 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.

Pieters and Winther have a four-shot cushion over Matthew Fitzpatrick, his three fellow Englishmen Steven Brown, Tommy Fleetwood and David Howell, and Swedish pair Peter Hanson and Robert Karlsson.

Lee Westwood, meanwhile, 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.