Still impressively solid, the Dane Rasmus Højgaard (photo) continues his fantastic ride by pointing to -15 after two laps with two cards of 62 (-9) and 65 (-6). The competition is trying to resist the image of Frenchman Paul Barjon, only second six strokes behind. Thirteen Tricolores validate their ticket for the weekend…
Lionel VELLA, au Golf National
Who can stop him? After his insolent demonstration Thursday with a 62 (-9) record which equaled the performance of the late Edward Romero in 2005 and from the German Martin Kaymer in 2009, Rasmus Højgaard gave a layer of it this Friday at the Golf National with a superb card of 65 (-6).
The current 160th player in the world, already three times winner on the European Tour at only 21 years old, already has an incredible score of -15 (127). FYI, no one has ever managed to play this low here in 72 holes in a par 71 configuration… So after 36 holes, even less…
« Although the course is still difficult to negotiate, I still played very well todayexplains, almost apologetically, the Scandinavian golfer caddyed by the Franco-English Tom Aylingwhich was on the bag of Victor Dubuisson et Alex Levy. I hit a lot of greens and gave myself a lot of birdie chances… »
« In the last tournaments, I made a lot of birdies but I also conceded too many bogeys and even worsehe continues. But I knew my game was there. I just needed to chain these good feelings over several consecutive laps. That’s what I’m doing right now… »ø
It’s worked well so far, so it’s up to me to stay patient, keep mistakes to a minimum, and smack a few more birdies.
Rasmus Højgaard
Not bad for a boy who is playing his first Open de France and who, however, has not yet recorded the slightest top 5 this season in seventeen outings (two 10th places as benchmark value in the Dutch Open then at Scottish Open).
« I’m not going to change much this weekendhe warns. It’s worked well so far, so it’s up to me to stay patient, keep mistakes to a minimum, and smack a few more birdies. »
What. A. Putt! @paul_barjon and the home support enjoyed that one ???? #CazooOpenDeFrance pic.twitter.com/XZRSElCYbr
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 23, 2022
Six lengths behind, we find the Frenchman alone at -9 (133) Paul Barjon, who settled for a 68 (-3) after playing 65 on Thursday. The “Texan” who is also playing his first French Open, is satisfied with this position, even if he admits to being a little frustrated at not having hit the ball as well as the day before.
« We got away with it despite everything by making approach-putts here and there and only conceding one bogey. So it’s positiveblows the one who has just lost his right to play on the PGA Tour. We hope to hit the ball a little better tomorrow if the weather gets choppy with wind and rain… »
I feel great, I feel like I belong. I don’t really feel like I’m playing my first French Open…
Antoine Rozner
The tricolor clan which places two others of its own in the top 6. Antoine Rozner, who left earlier in the day, offered an excellent 66 (-5) after his inaugural 69 (-2). Certainly pulled from the top by his playing partner, the essential Rasmus Højgaard, the Racingman, who is also playing his first national Open, provided the show, conceding only one bogey in this second round for a very solid card of 66. He is fourth at -7 with the Swede Alexander Björkone point behind the South African George Coetzeethird at the last pre-Covid French Open won by the Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts.
« I feel great, I feel like I belonghe lets go all smiles at the exit of the recording. I don’t really feel like I’m playing my first French Open… I know the course by heart, there are no surprises there. I think I’ve handled the pressure and expectations around me quite well over the past few days. I have been doing very good things now for two months… We will try to continue like this. »
« I didn’t feel a real difference in my game between today and yesterdaycontinues the double winner on the European Tour. I think I made a few putts that made the difference. It played out there. I only missed one green (au 11) and my ball was only five feet out. In short, I didn’t put myself in danger, and here, it’s pretty good. It’s a huge advantage. But there are still 36 holes left. It’s very long… »
Me, I need to be challenged, I need to have my heart beating like today
Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon
As inhabited when it comes to facing the Albatross in Open de France mode, Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon16th and best French in 2016 (with Julien Quesne) and member of the Challenge Tour this season, has once again shone. The Northerner now domiciled in Portugal posts a second 68 (-3) in two laps and hangs, alone, sixth place at -6.
« I am really satisfied with this day, especially considering the course of the gamehe points out. I pass through on the way out (left from 10) by not having missed a golf shot but by not having made a putt. It was very frustrating to end up at +1 after 11 holes. But I stayed calm. And at some point, it switched. I made four birdies on my last seven holes. I also managed to slip in some good solid putts for par. (at 7 and 8). We will try to continue this this weekend, with two or three more putts because we will have to go get this fanatic (sic) who got a little excited on the first two laps. »
« Me, I need to be challenged, I need to have my heart beating like todayhe adds. On this course, it can go very quickly. We are never safe. There were key moves to tap. I hit some serious golf shots, it was a monumental kiff. Now I hope the heart beats even harder throughout the weekend while hitting the best shots possible. »
I didn’t necessarily expect to be so high with two 69s, I thought it was going to play lower. I’m happy, I want to continue and go even higher
Written by William Moundeguy
Three other French people occupy 12th place on the leaderboard at -4 (138): Matthew Pavon et Victor Pereztwo safe bets of the tricolor clan in recent weeks, and the astonishing Written by William Moundeguy18 years old on November 19, impeccable with a second 69 (-2) in two days.
« I knew how to manage the course really well even if I made 2-3 errors which cost me three bogeysregrets the Landais de Seignosse. But it’s all in the game strategy. Because my shot, and like that of all the amateurs here, is the same as that of the other pro players. Apart from perhaps the European top 10 where it’s really above. I didn’t necessarily expect to be so high with two 69s, I thought it was going to play lower. I’m happy, I want to continue and go even higher. »
All the French amateurs of the Worlds at the rendezvous
Thirteen French finally cross the cut fixed in the by. They were 29 at the start Thursday morning. Honor to the French amateur team who participated in the last World Championships organized between the end of August and the beginning of September at the… Golf National and in St Nom-la-Bretèche.
Tom Vaillant (22nd at -3), Julien Sale (47th at -1) and Martin Couvra (64th in par) validate the adventure for two additional rounds. A talented trio that inevitably announces a bright future for French golf!
Le leaderboard
The leaderboard of other French people
Photo : DP World Tour
