Thomas Aiken was on track for the round of the day before play was called off on day two of the 101st Open de France at Le Golf National, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Aiken, riding high after a decent display at the US Open two weeks ago, was five under through 10 when inclement weather and the threat of lightning forced the suspension of play.
The 33-year-old had the course at his mercy on Friday, as he opened with six consecutive birdies before two pars and a bogey to complete his outward nine. He managed to complete just one more hole, before play was halted on a day where the field struggled to cope with the demands and the persistent rain.
Aiken’s round has him in a share of 19th place on three under par, five behind surprise leader Adrian Otaegui (Spain) after he fired a second round 66 – one shot off the round of the day shot by France’s Romain Langasque.
George Coetzee began the round as SA’s best-placed after his opening 68, but is destined to miss the cut as he sits six over through 12 – after a front nine 41 which had five bogeys and four pars.
15 South Africans began the event, and joining Coetzee in likely exits are Dean Burmester, Justin Walters, Trevor Immelman, Zander Lombard, Dylan Frittelli, Jbe Kruger, Darren Fichardt and Jaco Van Zyl.
Hennie Otto will face an anxious wait as he sits in a share of 66th place on +1, with one hole to play in his second round. Brandon Stone and Richard Sterne are currently one shot better off and inside the cutline.
Stone’s day picked up where he left off yesterday when he closed with a bogey for a 69. He is +2 after 11, after recording three bogeys on his front nine. The young South African will need a fast start on Saturday morning if he wants to continue his run of good form, which included making the cut at the US Open at Erin Hills – his first at a Major.
Sterne has two holes to navigate, including the par 5 ninth hole and should make the cut with two pars. He is -2 for the day after birdies at 10, 2 and 3.
Ahead of Stone and Sterne, is Trevor Fisher Jnr (-1 after 17) and Haydn Porteous (-2 after 14).
Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
