Golf

Fitzpatrick leads French Open after second-round 64

By AAP Newswire

Sep 26, 2026

England's Matt Fitzpatrick leads the way at the French Open in Paris. — England's Matt Fitzpatrick leads the way after day two at the Open de France in Paris. -EPA

World No.4 Matt Fitzpatrick has reflected with satisfaction on a second-round 64, which left him as overnight leader in the FedEx Open de France in Paris.

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The Englishman holds a one-shot lead over Denmark's Jeff Winther, who also fired a 7-under 64 in the second round.

Six shots back in a tie for 11th after a 70 on Friday, Jason Scrivener was the top-performing Australian.

Scrivener was unable to match the heroics of his day one 65, with his four birdies on Friday undone by three bogeys to leave him one under for the day.

Former British Open champion Cam Smith carded a second successive 72, leaving him way down in a share of 111th place at two over after a nightmare finish of two double-bogeys in the last three holes.

An eagle at the 14th at Le Golf National was Friday's highlight for Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open winner, who finished the day on 13 under for the tournament and still bogey-free.

"I played really solid again, felt comfortable with my game," the 32-year-old said.

"The last few holes were a bit of a grind. But I'm happy to be in.

"I've been doing a little bit more work on the driver. So [I] went back to the old set-up with my driver I started the year with and took a few issues in the middle of the year that were sort of off-putting a little bit."

First-round leader and defending champion Michael Kim is a shot behind Winther on 11 under after a 68 on Friday.