Thomas Detry co-leader, Victor Perez best Habs, Grégory Havret hero of the day

Still looking for his first victory on the European Tour, the Belgian Thomas Detry, 63 (-8) this Friday at Golf National, shares the lead with the Swede Jesper Svensson and the Englishman Dan Bradbury. Author of a solid 67 (-5), Victor Perez is the best placed Frenchman on the leaderboard (25th). As for Grégory Havret, he once again crossed a cut. On its 560th outing!

Lionel VELLA, au Golf National

The Albatross forgives nothing. Really nothing! Leading with a solid -11 after 29 consecutive holes without the slightest error, Thorbjørn Olesen was the victim of a serious off-road: a bogey at 17 followed by a double bogey at 18 including a second shot in the water hazard. In total control of his nerves and especially his golf, the Dane finally had to bow, posting a 69 (-2) which sent him to 4th place at -8 (134).

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At the finish he leaves the controls at -9 (133) to a trio made up of the Swede Jesper Svenssonfrom English Dan Bradbury and especially Belgian Thomas Detry31, impressive this Friday with an immaculate card of 63 (-8). Beautiful work!

I have played this course so many times. The first time I went there I was 12, so I know the place pretty well.

Thomas Detry

« I got off to a good startbreathes the main person concerned, still looking for a first success on the European Tour. This is the kind of course that offers you some opportunities in the first part of the course (started from 1). If you hit a good drive, which I’ve done all week so far, you can play low. We all know that playing in the rough is not a good thing here. But I hit a lot of fairways the last two days and I played a lot better today. I struggled a little bit on the greens yesterday, and I kind of changed my mindset from not hoping it would go in and just trying to make good putts, and they’re returned today. »

« I love this routehe continues. I have been here several times (au Golf National). I also did 63 once… I think (Editor’s note, his best result in a French Open until then was a 68 during the 2nd and 4th rounds in 2019). The playing conditions are obviously completely different. I’m not far from home. A lot of friends come on weekends, fans, my family is not far away either. I have played this course so many times. The first time I went there I was 12, so I know the place pretty well. »

Some favorites before this 106th edition also show up halfway through. We are thinking here of Rasmus Højgaardstill in the game after his 2nd and 4th places in 2022 and 2023. For the first time at the Natio since his victory in Ryder Cup a 2018, Justin Rose is also at the forefront. The Englishman is thus 9th at -7 (135). Undoubtedly, we will have to count on these two…

Best Frenchman after 36 holes, Victor Perez occupies 25th place at -4 after posting an excellent 67 (-5). He had to settle for a 71 (par) the day before.

« I hit the ball much better todayanalyzes the Tarbais at the end of the recording. I hope to play well this weekend in good conditions. I three-putted twice at 2 and 18. But I will especially remember the positive and this beautiful card of 67. The course is prepared completely differently from the Olympic Games. You have to adapt to the conditions. I hit my tee shots better and that allowed me to be more aggressive with my irons and put myself in birdie position more often. »

Clément Sordet, two and a half tournaments to save himself

Of the nineteen Tricolores entered this week, ten of them crossed the cut set at -1. Besides Grégory Havret who continues the adventure 48 hours more, in his 560th tournament on the DPWT, we remember the little breath of oxygen that Clément Sordet offered himself, despite two bogeys on his last two holes (starting from 10). The Lyonnais based in the Nice region had to make the cut to still hope to keep his card in 2025.

36th at -4, he must confirm this weekend before moving on to Andalusia then South Korea to get out of the PQ2 of the European Cards scheduled from October 31 to November 3 in Spain. He is currently 156th in the Race!

It’s been complicated for several weeks or even months for me. I’m having a lot less fun lately.

Clement Sordet

« It’s a journey (the Albatross) which I like but I often had difficulty playing on ithe admits. Making the cut is a step forward. Now we have to be good this weekend. There are very few tournaments left. We have to send heavy stuff. It’s been complicated for several weeks or even months for me. I’m having a lot less fun lately. I put things in place with my mental preparation (Laurent Ermellini). It seems to be working, I’m gradually getting closer to my previous level. It’s positive. »

« It’s been a while since I looked at the points (of the Race). I’m trying to put things in place for 2025, whether on the Challenge Tour or on the DPWT. We’ll see. It’s a question of level. If I finish this season well, I can very well stay on the European Tour. Otherwise, I will go back with the Challenge Tour. If I continue to progress. I might lose a season but you never know what could happen in the European D2. »

Le leaderboard

The French leaderboard

Photo : Warren Little / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP