Paris, France, is not the ideal spot for an American to celebrate the Fourth of July, but Kevin Stadler seems to be making do.
The Nevada-born Stadler overcame a double-bogey on the ninth hole with four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the back nine to finish 3-under on the round and move to 10-under for the tournament, giving him a 3-stroke lead over France’s Victor Riu.
Riu fired a 4-under 67 to move up four spots, jumping over Germany’s Marcel Siem, who struggled to a 1-over 72 after firing a 65 on Thursday.
Neither Riu nor Siem has yet qualified for the British Open yet, but could with a top three finish this weekend.
Fourth-place is a glut of seven players, including such well-knowns as Graeme McDowell, Stephen Gallacher, Thongchai Jaidee and Jamie Donaldson.
US Open champion Martin Kaymer rose up the rankings to climb into a tie for 11th. Kaymer followed up his 1-over 72 with a 3-under 68, but is still eight strokes off the lead at the midway point of the tournament.
France’s Victor Dubuisson shook off his opening-round 76 with a 68 to get to 2-over for the tournament, moving from 124th to tied for 43rd.
Race to Dubai leader Thomas Bjorn had a second straight miserable outing, firing a 3-over 74 to drop to 8-over and miss the cut entirely.
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