Sept 1 (Reuters) - Matt Fitzpatrick celebrated his 29th birthday by storming into the lead following the European Masters second round at Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland on Friday, boosting his chances of claiming a place in the European Ryder Cup team. The Englishman, who had five of his birdies on the back nine, must finish at least tied seventh with one other golfer to qualify for a Ryder Cup spot via the world points list. A couple of pins that didn't feel like they suited me," said Fitzpatrick, who won the European Masters in 2017 and 2018. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, who went into the European Masters in the final spot on the European points list, dodged the cut by a shot, but Victor Perez and Rasmus Hojgaard both failed to make it through to the weekend. Rory McIlroy and John Rahm have secured their spots on Team Europe via the European points list with Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton assured places via the world points list.

---

Persons: Matt Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick, Swede Alexander Bjork, Bjork, Frenchman Romain Langasque, Alex, Yannik Paul of Germany, Adrian Meronk, Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, Victor Perez, Rasmus Hojgaard, Rory McIlroy, John Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Luke Donald, Donald, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: European, European Ryder Cup, Former U.S, Ryder, Europe, United, Thomson Locations: Switzerland, United States, Rome, Bengaluru