Le Golf National once again proved a challenging test for some of the world’s best players on Friday as the wind swirled and the thick, fescue rough took no prisoners. It was a young Swede who stole the headlines during the second round. Here’s a look at some of his and the day’s best facts and figures.
136- The lowest score of the week from Marcus Kinhult of Sweden. The 21 one year old shot a 65, the low round of the week, to lead by two after 36 holes.
4- Kinhult bogeyed his first four holes of the tournament, making him the first player (since records began) to lead a European Tour event after 36 hole having bogeyed his opening four holes.
30- Kinhult’s front nine score on Friday, the lowest opening nine total at Le Golf National since Michael Hoey shot the same number in the second round in 2011.
2 - Kinhult’s second 36 hole lead on the European Tour, having led the 2015 Nordea Masters at the halfway point as an amateur. He would go on to finish T33rd that week.
68- Chris Wood’s second round score. Just his second sub 70 round at Le Golf National in this his eighth appearance at the HNA Open de France.
2- Under par rounds for Justin Thomas, who has opened with a pair of 70s. The World Number Two is one of only six players to break par in each of the opening two rounds and is four shots back heading into the weekend.
0 - Bogeys by Alexander Bjork on Friday, the only bogey-free round of the week so far. The Swede finished tied third here twelve months ago.
326.8- The average tee shot of Jacques Kruyswijk so far this week, nearly ten yards further than anyone else in the field.
34- Under par rounds on Friday, compared to just 14 on Thursday. Some tees were moved up and the wind was not as strong as the opening round.
73.54- The average score on Friday, nearly 1.5 shots easier than the course played on Thursday.
141- Scores of bogey or worse on the challenging 18th hole. It has played as the hardest hole on the course with an average of 4.57, yielding just 20 birdies through two rounds.
