<p>SUTTON COLDFIELD, England — Robert MacIntyre started with five straight birdies and finished with another two to shoot a 6-under 66 Thursday and take a share of the lead after the second round of the British Masters.</p>
<p>MacIntyre was level with fellow Scotsman Calum Hill (70) and English veteran Richard Bland (69) on 7-under 137, with three players a shot behind — including 2018 winner Eddie Pepperell.</p>
<p>MacIntyre’s run of birdies ended with a bogey on the sixth hole at The Belfry after hitting his tee shot into the water. He finished with eight birdies and two bogeys.</p>
<p>“I was in free flow,” MacIntyre said of his flying start. “I hit a couple close but the putter was working. For me it felt beautiful." </p>
<p>At 48, Bland is twice MacIntyre’s age but still looking for his first European Tour title at the 478th attempt.</p>
<p>“It would mean everything, especially at my age,” Bland said. “Of course we’re all here to win and if I could do that at such an iconic event as the British Masters, that would be all your Christmases coming at once I think." </p>
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