In the second round of the Open de France, Thomas Detry shot a second-round 63 to reach 9-under par and share the halftime lead with Jesper Svensson (68) and Dan Bradbury (66).
The Belgian signed a flawless scorecard on Friday at Le Golf National, featuring eight birdies, including a trio in his first five holes, another four in a five-hole span, starting on No. 9, before a final birdie on the 17th to reach 9 under.
“Got off to a great start,” said Detry. “It’s the type of golf course where it gives you a couple of opportunities in the first couple of holes and if you drive it well, which I did all week so far, you can go low.
“I’ve been over here so many times. I also shot 63 on Friday at the Olympics. I’m close to home here, lots of friends coming over the weekend, fans, family is not far away as well. I just love it.”
Overnight co-leader Svensson shot 68 highlighted by five birdies but closed each nine with a bogey (Nos. 9 and 18) to fall back to the field.
“A bit more shaky but very happy to still be under par today,” said Svensson. “Yesterday everything felt great with the game and today, wasn’t really there. But still managed to make some really good shots and a few good putts.”
Bradbury, meanwhile, got off to a slow start with a front nine containing two birdies and a bogey, but closed with an eagle at the 14th and back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 to post 66.
“You can’t sleep on any holes. There’s obviously lots of chances out here, you’ve seen that with the scoring,” said Bradbury. “But there’s lots of chances to mess up. You hit one bad shot and it’s costing you two out here with all the water and out-of-bounds. It’s a proper golf course.”
Five players were one shot behind, including Thorbjorn Olesen, who was in the pole position at 11 under with two holes to go but finished bogey-double bogey to fall back into a share for fourth on 8 under.
The Dane sat alongside Sweden’s Simon Forsstrom (64), Rasmus Hojgaard (66), Paul Waring (66) and Fabrizio Zanotti (68).
Justin Rose (68) and Matthew Jordan (64) were 7 under and rounded out the top 10 leaders in France.
2024 FedEx Open de France
Round Two: Top 10 Scorers
Pos-Player-Score (Rd 2)
1. Thomas Detry -9 (-8)
1. Dan Bradbury -9 (-5)
1. Jesper Svensson -9 (-3)
4. Simon Forsstrom -8 (-7)
4. Rasmus Hojgaard -8 (-5)
4. Paul Waring -8 (-5)
4. Fabrizio Zanotti -8 (-3)
4. Thorbjorn Olesen -8 (-2)
9. Matthew Jordan -7 (-7)
9. Justin Rose -7 (-3)
European Tour Communications post-round content used to compile report.