LOCAL golfers Oliver Fisher and Simon Khan are the leading Englishmen at the half-way stage of the Portugal Masters, giving themselves the best chance of retaining their European Tour card, as the season draws to a close.

Both players need a strong finish to the year in order to guarantee their place on the circuit next season, following a disappointing campaign at the top level of the game.

Both Fisher, who hails from Chigwell, and Epping resident Khan sit on ten under par in a tie for seventh at the Oceanico Golf Course, just five shots behind leader Francesco Molinari.

The pair have upped their game when the chips are down, with Fisher securing a tie for 23rd place at last week's Madrid Masters and Khan finishing just a shot back in 32nd.

Both players are ahead of the likes of former world number seven Justin Rose, Ryder Cup player Lee Westwood and current European Tour leader Rory McIlroy in Portugal.