UNITED KINGDOM (AFP) — England's Andy Sullivan said he needed "a little beer" to calm his nerves after birdies at the final two holes gave him a share of the lead heading into the final round of the British Masters.

Sullivan is joined by fellow Englishmen James Morrison and Oliver Wilson, Joost Luiten, Guido Migliozzi and Niklas Norgaard on seven under par.

There are 10 players within two shots of the lead with Maximilian Kieffer on six under and Romain Langasque, Bryce Easton and Justin Walters one shot further back.

Sullivan is the local favorite as he hails from Nuneaton, just a half hour's drive from The Belfry course in England's Midlands.

After a mixed round that included two birdies and two bogeys on the opening 16 holes, he nailed two putts for a round of 70.

"I'm absolutely buzzing," Sullivan said.

"I can't wait. I'm not going to lie, I'll probably go have a little beer right now to calm down because literally, the nerves on the last when the putt was going down, I was thinking, this could be three-putt.

"It's amazing. It's been so nice to see so many friendly faces out there. I'm going to enjoy it.

"I didn't get anything going all day, very steady, very solid, and then last couple of holes was sweet to finish like that."

Former world No. 1 Justin Rose began the day in a share of the lead but slipped three shots back after a 74.