Visiting American Kevin Stadler soured American Independence Day and July 4th celebrations doubling his final hole on day two of the French Open.
After a first round 64 the son of Masters champion Craig Stadler had raced five shots clear of his rivals after 12 holes on the National course outside of Versailles.
However Stadler, who is competing in France for a first time in his career, bogeyed his 14th and while he birdied 16 and 17 to get to 12-under par he made a real mess of the ninth hole or his 18th.
But then at the end of the round the current World No. 62 and reigning PGA Tour Waste Management winner heads the field by three shots with Frenchman Victor Riu his nearest rival at seven under par.
A penny for your thoughts as Martin Kaymer waits on the third hole as Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, competing in the group ahead, has trouble finding both his first tee shot and his provisional. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
“It was not exactly how I planned to finish the day but overall it was another good day so it’s all good. I putted brilliantly the first couple of days. I got a little sloppy on my final nine today but other than that struck the ball very well as well, had a lot of chances and rolled in a lot of nice putts.”
Stadler won his maiden US PGA Tour title in February and was half of the first father-son pairing to play in the same Masters Tournament in April with his father Craig, the 1982 champion.
The 34 year old finished joint eighth at Augusta National but that has been his only top-ten since winning in Phoenix and he added: “It’s been a little rotten the last couple of months but it’s starting to show some signs of form again and I’ve hit plenty of good shots the last couple of days.
“Hopefully I can do more of the same at the weekend, the putter keeps co-operating and I am looking forward to the last couple of days.”
At ten under par, Stadler held a three-shot clubhouse lead over France’s Victor Riu, whose only bogey in a round of 67 came on the 18th after finding a greenside bunker.
Defending champion Graeme McDowell added a 69 to his opening 70 to finish three under par and was quick to acknowledge Stadler’s superb performance.
“I said to (US Open Champion) Martin Kaymer it was nearly as good as his at Pinehurst, but not quite,” said McDowell, whose winning total 12 months ago was nine under.
Playing partner Kaymer, who won his second Major title by eight shots last month, was a shot behind McDowell on two under after carding a 68 containing six birdies and three bogeys.
