The Open Qualifying Series: Fitzpatrick surges to halfway lead at FedEx Open de France
Matt Fitzpatrick carded a brilliant bogey-free 64 on Friday at Le Golf National to take a one-stroke lead into the weekend of the 2026 FedEx Open de France.
The World Number Four, who began the fog-affected second round two shots off the pace, carded a bogey-free 64 to preserve his flawless card and reach 13 under par at the halfway point in the capital.
Fitzpatrick, unbothered by his revised afternoon tee time, carded four birdies across his opening nine holes to stay within reach of clubhouse leader Jeff Winther, who posted a 64 of his own during the morning wave.
The 2022 U.S. Open Champion had to settle for four pars from the turn before an eagle at the par five 14th saw him join Winther at the summit, a 27-foot birdie two holes later earning him the outright lead.
Fitzpatrick cemented top spot with an impressive up-and-down at the last to take the advantage in what is his sixth appearance at Continental Europe’s oldest national open. "I played really solid again. Felt comfortable with my game. Just the last few holes were a bit of a grind. But, yeah, happy to be in" said Fitzpatrick.
"All around, I've been doing a little bit more work on the driver. So went back to the old setup 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, I guess. And, yeah, just feel a bit more comfortable with that, for one, and then just being able to sort of play my normal game with the rest.
The shot itself (on 18), we were wondering whether to go for it. I was kind of happy to go for it. Took the extra club just to make sure. And then as I took my backswing, I felt my right foot slip. So I kind of obviously was then in search for the ball, I kind of threw my right arm and managed to sort of make contact, it's just gone a long way and a long way left. But, yeah, obviously nice to be in the fairway, be able to have some control on the ball and hit one in close."
Winther, who won the Danish Golf Championship earlier this year, fired five birdies on the back nine to go out in 30, before another two gains on the front moved him to the 12 under par tally.
It continues the Dane’s fine record at Le Golf National, where he finished eighth in 2022 and joint runner-up in both 2023 and 2024.
Defending champion and overnight leader Michael Kim sits a further shot back, thanks to a second round of 68.
The American offset a rocky start with two birdies on the front, before mixing four gains and two bogeys on his way home to move to 11 under and take outright third.
Compatriot Ryan Gerard and France’s own Tom Vaillant sit in a share of fourth at ten under, while Spain’s Angel Hidalgo, Germany’s Marcel Siem, South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence and Italy’s Gregorio de Leo round out the top ten one back.
Elsewhere, Victor Perez gave the French fans plenty to cheer about, making an ace on the par three 11th, while young star Martin Couvra holed an important putt at the last to go inside the cut line and keep his national open dream alive.
The round was overnight suspended at 19.55pm local time due to darkness, with play set to restart at 8.45am. Round three will be a two tee start in three balls and will not start before 10am. The cut is currently projected to be three under.
Courtesy DP World Tour
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