Morrison moves one clear in Paris

England’s James Morrison has taken a one-shot lead over joint first-round leader Richard Green at the Open De France.
England’s James Morrison has taken a one-shot lead over joint first-round leader Richard Green at the Alstom Open De France in Paris.
The 26-year-old shot a second-consecutive 66 at Le Golf National on Friday to lead at the halfway mark, despite nearlypulling out of this event two days ago due to illness.
Morrison suffers from Crohn’s Disease, an intenstinal inflammation, which flared up again earlier in the week. He’s dealt with the condition for over 10 years.
“I almost drove home Wednesday morning, but I’ve had some steroids and it’s calming me down,” Morrison said.
“It’s something I’ve been used to dealing with on a daily basis. I’m feeling a little bit drained, but I play better with that because I don’t have expectations.
“I feel a bit worse for wear and just stroll through the day.”
Morrison lies on ten under par, one clear of Australian Richard Green, who followed up his opening 65 with a solid three-under-par 68.
Another Englishman, Mark Foster, lies alone in third, three behind Green, while a trio of players are tied for fourth a further shot back – Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, Dane Thorbjorn Olesen and England’s Matthew Nixon.
As a young man, Morrison was forced to make a choice between golf and cricket, having played in England’s Youths cricket team alongside the likes of Alistair Cook and Tim Bresnan.
It’s a move that has already paid off, as he already won in his rookie year last season, and has earned over £500,000 to date.
This week’s first prize of £442,000 would nearly double that amount, while also securing him a coveted place in the Open field.
Coming into this event, however, he had missed his last four cuts, so his performance this week signals a welcome return of form.
Morrison took over the lead fairly early in the day, as he completed the front nine in five-under 31.
Green then started his round and briefly took over the lead on 11 under, before the Australian double-bogeyed the seventh and fell back down.
Green will be happy to only be one shot off the pace, however – particularly considering how his co-leader from round one fared.
Graeme Storm could only manage a second-round 65, thanks in no small part to a quadruple-bogey on the 18th, where he hit two balls into the lake short of the green. He currently lies eight shots back.
Some notables missed the cut, including defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez from Spain, world number 12 Bubba Watson (who lashed out at the camera-happy crowd after his round), Darren Clarke and last week’s winner Pablo Larrazabal.
Germany’s Martin Kaymer shot a 69 to lie on two under, eight shots off the pace, though he will be around for the weekend.
Colin Montgomerie also made the cut at one under, but the top-five finish that would gift him an Open spot seems more and more unlikely.
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.