Bjorn regains French Open lead

Published Jul 6, 2013

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VERSAILLES, France – Denmark's Thomas Bjorn overcame a double bogey at the second hole to lead the French Open by one stroke at the halfway mark of the third round at Le Golf National on Saturday.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell is alone in second and two under on the day while Scotland's Marc Warren is a further two shots back in a four-way tie for third on four-under.

Overnight leader Frabrizio Zanotti endured an erratic front nine that featured two triple bogeys and two birdies as he slipped down the leaderboard to lie one under for the tournament after dropping five shots through nine holes.

Bjorn overcame a double bogey at the second hole before back to back birdies and then nearly drained a sensational hole in one at the par 3 eighth when his iron shot hit the pin but stayed out.

The two-time Ryder Cup winner easily sunk the short putt to move two clear on a day of unpredictable golf at the sun drenched course that is set to host the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Warren climbed the leaderboard and moved into contention after four birdies through 14 holes before he finally dropped a shot on 15 to sit alongside South African Richard Stern and English duo Simon Dyson and David Howell.

Stern is one over on the day after two birdies in the first three holes was overshadowed by a bogey and double bogey at four and five.

Bjorn enjoyed four birdies over his opening eight holes and could easily had an eagle when his near perfect shot on eight rolled up against the flag stick before agonisingly bouncing out.

McDowell continued his incredible consistency that has seen him drop only two bogeys all tournament as he continues to stalk Bjorn at the front of the field.

His only birdie on the front nine came at the long par five third hole but he drained a 20ft putt at the par three 11th which leaves him alone in second heading down the stretch.

Spaniard Jorge Campillo had an almost flawless round with four birdies before his only bogey on 18 left him two under for the tournament with a 68.

Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter shot a solid round of two under 69 to sit par for the tournament while former world number one Luke Donald again failed to make an impact and is in the clubhouse on two over after a round of par-71

The third round continues. – Sapa-AFP

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