Lee Westwood leads the British Masters

WEST MIDLANDS, England, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Lee Westwood holds a one-stroke lead midway through the British Masters after shooting 2-under-par 70 in Friday's second round.

The defending champion's 36-hole total, 6-under 138, leads a group of five players at the Brabazon golf course in West Midlands, England.

He mixed in six birdies with four bogeys, and four closing pars helped him grab the overnight lead.

"I played okay today," Westwood told reporters. "I hope to play better tomorrow. I didn't sleep very well last night with the jet lag and felt tired all day today."

Westwood, a five-stroke winner last year, leads Alejandro Canizares (68), Thongchai Jaidee (68), and Marc Warren (71), with Alexander Noren and Jeev Milkha Singh among five golfers left to complete their second rounds.

Heavy fog on Friday caused a three-hour delay at the start of the second round.