Matt Fitzpatrick Flawless in Paris: Charges into Halfway Lead at the Open de France
Saturday, 26/09/2026
Matt Fitzpatrick continued his sublime, blemish-free form in Paris, firing a magnificent 7-under 64 to edge ahead at the halfway stage of the FedEx Open de France. Playing at the iconic Le Golf National—site of the 2018 Ryder Cup - the Englishman sits at 13 under par, holding a slim one-stroke lead over Denmark's Jeff Winther.
Following a clean opening 65, Fitzpatrick’s second round was a exhibition in steady ball-striking and clinical putting. The highlights included a sensational 15-foot eagle putt on the par-5 14th and a crucial par-save on the 18th hole after slipping on his approach.
"I played really solid again and felt comfortable with my game," Fitzpatrick noted after his round. "The last few holes were a bit of a grind, but I'm very happy to be in the clubhouse in this position."
Winther posted four birdies in a five-hole stretch on his way to a bogey-free 64
Key Leaderboard Standings at the Halfway Mark
- Matt Fitzpatrick (-13): Back-to-back bogey-free rounds (65-64) showcase his exceptional precision around one of Europe's toughest tracks.
- Jeff Winther (-12): Matched Fitzpatrick’s 64 with a brilliant seven-birdie run to guarantee a spot in Saturday's final pairing.
- Michael Kim (-11): The defending champion stays well within striking distance despite a late bogey on the 18th.
- Notable Chasers: Germany’s Marcel Siem (-9), Thriston Lawrence (-9), Viktor Hovland (-7), and Tommy Fleetwood (-6) all remain in contention heading into the moving day.
- Moment of the Day: France’s Victor Perez thrilled the home crowd with an ace on the par-3 11th hole, though a difficult finish saw him narrowly miss the weekend cut.
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