England’s Stiggy Hodgson produced a brilliant finish to jump to the top of the leaderboard in the second round of the Najeti Open presented by Neuflize OBC in Saint-Omer.
The former Walker Cup player signed off with three consecutive birdies for a four under par 67, setting the clubhouse lead at six under.
“I played nicely,” said the 24 year old. “The finish was magic with three birdies in a row. I played nicely and got a little bit lucky. I still can’t get the hang of the first hole, and I three-putted there.
“I’m pretty good in the wind. I can hit it high or low, right to left and left to right – I can manipulate the ball.
“The course really tests your patience a lot but you just have to accept it. You can get bad breaks, but it’s the same for everyone.
“On the third hole, you can pitch in the middle of the fairway but end up in the trees, which is what happened to me today. That was frustrating. You do need a bit of luck out there.”
Hodgson twice represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup – in 2009 and 2011 – and has made steady progress since turning professional in 2012. Last week he was tied third in the KPMG Trophy in Belgium.
“Over the last few years I’ve managed to improve each part of my game and get a little better in everything,” he added. “It’s just about keeping the belief and always trying to improve.”
Overnight co-leader Belgian Hugues Joannes endured a tougher day, a two over par 73 dropping him back to three under overall, one ahead of Frenchman Edouard Dubois, who signed for a 71.
