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Fitzpatrick Takes 36‑Hole Lead at Open de France

Reverting to an earlier driver setup has restored his form, putting him one shot clear heading into the weekend.

Overview

  • Matt Fitzpatrick produced a bogey‑free 7‑under 64 on Friday that included an eagle at the par‑five 14th and five birdies to move to 13 under and hold the halfway lead.
  • Fitzpatrick said he reverted to the driver setup he used earlier in the year and has been doing extra work on his driver, a change he credited for the surge in form this week.
  • Denmark’s Jeff Winther matched the day’s low with a bogey‑free 64 and sits one shot behind Fitzpatrick at 12 under.
  • Defending champion Michael Kim posted a three‑under 68 and is two shots back at 11 under, while established names such as Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood sit several strokes further behind.
  • France’s Victor Perez made a hole‑in‑one but triple‑bogeyed his final hole to miss the cut and the weekend should see Fitzpatrick and Winther lead a crowded chase for DP World Tour points and the title.