England’s James Morrison, who gave up a promising career as a cricketer to concentrate on golf, took a one-stroke halfway lead in the French Open on Friday.
The 26-year-old fired a second straight 66 for a 10-under total and that put him one stroke clear of Australia’s Richard Green, the joint first round leader with Graeme Storm of England.
Green had a 68 and was three strokes clear of England’s Mark Foster, who also had a 68.
Tied on five-under, a stroke further back came Richie Ramsey of Scotland (68), Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark (71) and Matthew Nixon of England (69).
Morrison’s form has come as something of a surprise even to himself as he had contemplated pulling out of the tournament on Wednesday because of illness.
The Englishman has suffered from Crohn’s Disease — an intestinal inflammation — for the past decade and it flared up again at the start of the week.
Morrison’s decision to choose golf over cricket — he played in the same England Youths team as current one-day captain Alastair Cook and Tim Bresnan — has already paid dividends.
He won in his rookie season last year and has earned over £500,000 (US$803,500), but there is a first prize of over £442,000 on offer this weekend and also a place in next month’s British Open at Royal St George’s.
Morrison had missed his last four cuts and in July last year crashed out by eight shots at the Le Golf National, the course that has been chosen to host the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Joint overnight leader Green at one stage reached 11-under, but a double-bogey six on the seventh meant he swapped places with Morrison.
World No. 4 Martin Kaymer, champion two years ago, shot 69 to move to two-under, one better than Colin Montgomerie, who now needs a magical weekend to take the British Open spot he so craves.
Meanwhile, top American hope Bubba Watson made an early and disappointing exit after carding two rounds of 74 in what was his first regular European Tour event.
Watson was heading home after a bit more sightseeing, but confirmed he will be back for the British Open at Royal St George’s in two weeks.
Also missing the cut was last year’s winner, Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez, who struggled with 79 to stand at eight over.
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