Ewen Murray's Day 2 Highlights at British Masters at The Grove

I thought the 18th hole provided a lot of entertainment today, and it reminded me of the WGC here in 2006 when Tiger Woods eagled the par-five on each of the first three days, writes EWEN MURRAY, golf columnist

We saw six eagles there in the second round, including Jorge Campillo, one from Bernd Wiesberger which lifted him to within three shots of the lead, and we also had one from Tommy Fleetwood midway through his 67.

Tommy Fleetwood made one of six eagles on the 18th in the second round

It was a very inviting pin there today, and the players would have been disappointed if they didn't walk off with at least a birdie four. If you got yourself on the right side of the fairway and got a good view of the flag, you could get it close. That's what Fleetwood did, knocking his second within two feet.

However, if you're standing on that 18th tee on Sunday with a one-shot lead, there is still much that can happen. We've seen a few sixes at the closing hole as well as all the birdies and eagles.

But it's a sporty finishing hole and, coupled with another par-five at the 15th, there is a lot that can happen over these closing holes at The Grove. That's the hallmark of a good golf course.
It's great for the tournament to see Andrew "Beef" Johnston right in contention, just one off the lead after 36 holes, and he could bring in an extra 5,000 people through the gates over the weekend!

The Beef effect! Andrew Johnston could bring in thousands more people through the gates over the weekend

Beef has become a phenomenon in recent months. He's so popular, but he's also very good at dealing with everyone. You could say he gives a bit of beef to the fans, and they give plenty back!
He's a European Tour winner this year, and this week is a good test for him with such a big prize fund. He's had the experience of playing in the United States, he's even got his PGA Tour card for the season, and Johnston is just riding on the crest of a wave.

Richard Bland has had a number of chances to get his first win. Will this weekend be the one?

As for the halfway leader, Richard Bland, there have been a lot of tournaments where he had a great chance of crossing the line as a winner, but he's not quite managed it and he finds it difficult to close events out.
But more recently, he's been working with a sports psychologist and he's learned to be a little more aggressive with his game rather than trying to protect a score, and it would be great to see him follow Tyrrell Hatton as a first-time winner this week.

The players we've mentioned so far have their immediate futures secured for the next year, but for guys like Eddie Pepperell, it's a nervy time with just two events left to retain his card.
It's a huge weekend ahead for Pepperell, who is struggling at 120th in the Race to Dubai, but he has a great chance to bank some serious money this week after a brilliant 65 got him to five under. Even better placed is Scott Jamieson on nine under, and Scott is 117th in the standings.

Scott Jamieson needs a good weekend to secure his card for next year

These guys, and many others, are simply running out of time. They've only got Portugal next week, and you never want to leave it to the final event to save your card and avoid a trip to Q School.
Both Eddie and Scott now have the opportunity to do that, and their futures are in their own hands over the weekend. If they can break 70 on Saturday, they will probably earn enough to push themselves comfortably inside the top 110 and earn their playing privileges for 2017.

Beef and Alex Noren are both just one off the lead going into the weekend

As we head into the weekend, the leaderboard is very congested and the top 20 features an intriguing blend of experience and emerging talent. Alex Noren has already won twice in Britain this season and he will fancy his chances over the weekend despite finishing with a double-bogey today.
Chris Wood is up there just three off the lead, and he is determined to complete a big English double having won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth back in May. And a win here would also help banish the blues of the Ryder Cup.

Chris Wood is aiming for a big English double

The likes of Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood are well within striking distance, and both enjoyed good finishes to their second rounds. They cannot be ruled out.
And how about my Sky Sports colleague Paul McGinley. Safely in for the last 36 holes on five under, and only six shots off the lead. He came in for a commentary stint after finishing his round, and I actually referred to him as "my guest" out of respect for his 67!

Paul McGinley shot a brilliant 67 to move to five under - just six off the lead

I was rather forgetting he is very much part of our team, and he will be for some time to come I'm sure. He said he actually played better in the blustery conditions on Thursday afternoon, but it's great to see him playing well.
Even at the age of nearly 50, he's still able to mix it with the power hitters out there. This is a good course for Paul, and I'm confident he can keep this form going for another two rounds.