The French flag was flying high in China with four players headed by Julien Quesne leading the way after two rounds of the Volvo China Open in Shanghai.
Quesne, a two-time Tour winner, edged one clear of compatriot and defending champion Alex Levy with a second round 67 to move to eight under par in China’s financial capital.
Levy signed for a 68 to be sharing second place with American Peter Uihlein who posted a 67 to be on seven under par.
The ‘tricolour’ dominance continues with Jerome Lando Casanova carding scores of 71 and 68 to be tied with Romain Wattel who has scores of 72 and 67.
Also in fourth place is Italy’s Matteo Manassero (71 & 68), the China pair of Ashun Wu (73 & 66) and Hao-tong Li (71 & 68) and last week’s Shezhen International winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat (71 & 68).
Levy, who romped to a four shot maiden victory in this event 12 months ago before picking up a second title in Portugal, had a makeable putt for what would have been a seventh birdie of the day to reach ten under on the 14th, but having missed it then made a couple of errors over the closing holes.
Juilien Quesne leads a charge of four French-born players atop of the board in the 2015 Volvo China Open – www.europeantour.com)
After driving into a bunker at the 16th, the 24 year old hit his approach into the water en route to a double bogey six, and he also dropped a shot at the short 17th after again finding sand from the tee – although he did pull one back with a gain at the last for a 68.
The 34 year old Quesne had romped to the turn in 32, before getting up-and-down from a bunker on the par five 13th and pitching to four feet at the next as the pace of the morning starters was blown away on a calm afternoon.
“I played much better today, so that was the main reason for my good score,” said Quesne, who finished tied for fourth in last week’s Shenzhen International.
“I felt very comfortable and hardly missed any shots, so it was a very good day all round.
“My performance last week definitely helps build the confidence, so I felt good at the start of the week and I’m still feeling good now, but there’s a long way to go.
“There are so many good golfers in France now, so it’s logical that you see lots of French players up near the top of the leaderboard. I hope we can keep it going over the weekend.”
Asked whether he and Levy would be discussing their respective title chances over dinner, Quesne quipped: “We don’t really talk about golf when we go out for dinner at night. We try to talk about other subjects, because just speaking about golf gets very boring!”
Like Quesne, Uihlein had raced out in 32 but then bogeyed the tenth and 16th, only for the former Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year to find an eagle at the last and burst out of the chasing pack.
The morning pace had been set by last week’s winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Matteo Manassero, whose matching rounds of 68 had seen them set the clubhouse target at five under par.
That was enough for a share of fourth heading into the weekend, along with last week’s runner-up Li Hao-tong, his fellow home favourite Wu Ashun, and two more of the French contingent in Jérôme Lando Casanova and Romain Wattel.
Aphibarnrat admitted to being full of confidence as he looks to become the first player to win back-to-back European Tour titles since Rory McIlroy last summer.
“I’m very happy, especially as it’s playing tough – there are lots of slopes on the greens and the course is very firm,” said Aphibarnrat.
“I’m not driving the ball as well as I did last week, but the rest of my game is in pretty good shape, especially my short game.
“I’m still feeling good; I’ve been getting lots of rest and eating well, so I’m feeling fine and ready to go.
“Mentally I’m still sharp and my confidence is high, so I just have to keep it up.
“My Mum is still here with me and she told me to keep going and win back to back, so hopefully I can do it for her. She’s my good luck charm.”
Manassero missed his first five cuts of the season, but after improving his fortunes by finishing 59th and 29th on his last two appearances, The European Tour’s youngest winner continued to edge towards his best form.
The Italian, who only turned 22 last week, said: “I’m playing very solid golf, and I’m glad to have my confidence back and to be shooting some good scores again.”
Bradley Dredge, Michael Hendry and David Howell had been tied for the lead overnight on four under, but only Howell remained in the top ten after a second round 72.
