England’s Matt Fitzpatrick delivered a masterclass in precision at Le Golf National, carding a brilliant second-round 64 to secure a commanding halfway lead at the prestigious FedEx Open de France. The former US Open champion maintained an immaculate bogey-free scorecard through 36 holes, demonstrating the exact iron accuracy and calm composure that previously earned him a memorable Ryder Cup appearance on this very layout in 2018. Fitzpatrick’s stellar performance puts the English star in prime position to claim his ninth DP World Tour victory, showcasing his elite tactical approach on one of continental Europe’s most demanding and historically significant championship golf courses.
While Fitzpatrick soared to the top of the leaderboard, home favorite Victor Perez endured a dramatic and ultimately heartbreaking afternoon despite thrilling the Parisian galleries with a sensational hole-in-one on the par-three 16th. The French Olympian, who captured the Dutch Open title in 2022 and consistently features inside the world's top 100, struggled with consistency on the greens and now faces a premature exit from his national open. Le Golf National notoriously punishes even the slightest miscalculation off the tee, and despite the unforgettable roar generated by Perez’s ace, compounding bogeys across the front nine unfortunately proved mathematically insurmountable for the local hero.
As the tournament moves toward a high-stakes weekend in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, chasing contenders will need to chase down a red-hot Fitzpatrick who holds a narrow advantage over a congested chasing pack. The weekend weather forecast predicts rising wind speeds across the Albatros course, meaning course management and scrambling abilities will heavily dictate who hoists the trophy on Sunday afternoon. Fitzpatrick will look to draw heavily upon his extensive major championship pedigree and past DP World Tour successes to fend off an international field eager to capitalize on any rare mistakes during the crucial closing stretch.
