Matt Fitzpatrick of England kept his flawless start at the FedEx Open de France alive on Friday, extending his advantage at Le Golf National and positioning himself firmly at the top of the leaderboard. After posting a perfect, bogey‑free 65 on Thursday, Fitzpatrick produced an even more impressive round on Friday afternoon, carding a seven‑birdie, one‑eagle 64 that brought his total to 13 under par, a single stroke ahead of Denmark’s Jeff Winther. Both Fitzpatrick and Winther matched the day’s lowest round, guaranteeing them spots in the final group scheduled for Saturday. Defending champion Michael Kim, who had led after the first round, fell two strokes back after posting a three‑under 68.
American Ryan Gerard remained three strokes behind, sharing a tie for fifth place with Frenchman Tom Vaillant. Germany’s Marcel Siem, who recorded a second‑round 64, joined Thriston Lawrence and Angel Hidalgo within four strokes of the leader. Viktor Hovland sat six shots off the pace, with Tommy Fleetwood a further shot behind. French hopeful Victor Perez, despite an impressive hole‑in‑one on the par‑three 11th, appeared destined to miss the cut after a second‑round 71 that left him two strokes short of the qualifying line.
Playing alongside his Ryder Cup teammates Hovland and Ludvig Åberg, Fitzpatrick built on his strong opening day by capitalising on the par‑five third hole and adding another close‑range birdie on the fourth. He missed a good chance on the fifth but bounced back by sinking a six‑foot putt on the par‑four sixth. The Englishman then birdied the par‑five ninth, moving to 10 under and reaching the turn in 32 strokes. Although he failed to convert a birdie chance on the 10th, Fitzpatrick quickly erased that miss by holing a 15‑foot putt for an eagle on the par‑five 14th, pulling level with clubhouse leader Winther.
He followed that with a 25‑foot birdie on the 16th, reclaiming sole possession of the lead. On the final hole, a slip on his approach to the par‑four 18th could have proved costly, but Fitzpatrick executed a spectacular up‑and‑down from the fairway, preserving his one‑stroke advantage over Winther. "I played really solid again and felt comfortable with my game," Fitzpatrick said after his round. "The last few holes were a bit of a grind, but I'm happy to be in the clubhouse." The three‑time PGA Tour winner added that his consistency was key, especially given the pressure of a major European tournament.
Winther, who posted seven birdies in his bogey‑free round, remained a serious contender, while Kim stayed within striking distance at 12 under before a mis‑hit from a greenside bunker forced a bogey on the final hole. "It wasn't perfect golf like yesterday, but I felt like I made a good fight out of it and overall I'm happy with where I'm at," Kim reflected. "I didn't get off to the best start and the swing didn't feel as good as yesterday. A little unfortunate bogey coming in, but I think I have a good chance to win this tournament for the weekend." Eugenio Chacarra, who entered the week ranked third in the Race to Dubai, sat at four under after rounds of 70 and 68, while Perez ultimately missed the cut after a triple‑bogey on his last hole left him two strokes short.
The tournament continues with live coverage on Saturday from midday on Sky Sports Golf, and viewers can also follow the action via NOW streaming without a contract. The FedEx Open de France has quickly become one of the most exciting stops on the European Tour this season, drawing a strong field that includes multiple major champions and rising stars. The course at Le Golf National, known for its challenging layout and fast greens, tests every aspect of a player's game—from driving accuracy on the wide fairways to precision putting on the undulating surfaces. Fitzpatrick's ability to navigate these demands without a single bogey demonstrates why he is considered a serious contender for the title.
Looking ahead, the final round promises a tense showdown. If Fitzpatrick can maintain his composure and avoid the occasional slip that nearly cost him on the 18th, he is well‑placed to secure his first European Tour victory of the year. However, Winther remains within striking distance, and a strong finish from Hovland or Fleetwood could reshape the leaderboard dramatically.
Fans can also take advantage of special offers from Sky Sports, including discounted subscriptions and the option to stream the tournament live via NOW, which requires no long‑term commitment. Golf enthusiasts interested in playing the same courses featured on the tour can browse the extensive list of over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with tools to search by course name, city, or postal code. As the tournament builds toward its climax, the narrative centers on whether Fitzpatrick’s early dominance can be sustained and if the French crowd will see a home player like Perez break through despite his recent struggles.
The drama, the skill, and the sheer unpredictability of golf make the FedEx Open de France a must‑watch event for any sports fan.