A QUADRUPLE-BOGEY on the par-four 18th hole severely dented Graeme Storm’s hopes of claiming a second French Open title, allowing his fellow countryman James Morrison to nip in and take the lead at the halfway mark in Paris.
Storm, a winner at Le Golf National in 2007, couldn’t have hoped for a better start as he birdied his opening holes at nine and ten to move to eight-under par at the top of the leaderboard.
However, bogeys at 15 and 17, followed by that catastrophic quadruple at 18, saw him drop back to two-under par before the turn, with the Englishman grateful that he managed to close out his round without sustaining further damage.
Storm now lies eight shots off Morrison’s lead after the 26-year-old finished his morning with five birdies on the front nine, carding his second 66 in as many days to assume a one-shot advantage on ten-under par.
A double bogey at seven cost first round co-leader Richard Greene his place at the top of the pile. The Australian, who had five birdies in today’s round, returned to the clubhouse on nine-under.
Another member of the English contingent, Mark Foster, is sitting in third place after a round of 68 bumped him up to six-under par.
Gareth Maybin and Paul McGinley are the best of the Irish on level par, with Michael Hoey a further shot back. These three, along with Paul McGinley (+2), are all expected to make the weekend’s cut while Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry look certain to miss out after finishing the day on four-over and five-over respectively.
Another man who will be heading home early is American Bubba Watson, one of the main draws at this week’s tournament, who finished on a disappointing six-over par.
Explaining his dismal showing to the Press Association afterwards, the world number 12 appeared to point the finger of blame at the lack of on-course crowd control.
“On every tee it says no phones, no video cameras and on every tee there’s hundreds,” said Watson.
“It’s different – it’s not a normal tournament. There’s cameras, there’s phones, no security. I don’t know which holes to walk through – there’s no ropes.
I’m not saying it’s bad, it’s just something I’m not used to and not comfortable with. It’s very strange to me.
Cos we got Salah… Oh mane mane!!
@Ciarán: For now you have Salah.
The only debate is which big club he will go to in the summer, like every other player that shows some ability at Liverpool.
It’s ok though, iv made a song for his replacement:
We’ve got Boufal, MAYBE Mane, no one wants Firmino.
@Eoin Finnega: jaysus that’s a shite song.
@Eoin Finnega: I dont care if he goes or not Im enjoying the moment, Try it!! My support is not built around idolising footballers.
Two games in a row now Karius has made great saves to keep LFC ahead. Those of us who had seen something in him to recommend are feeling pretty good about now… Let’s hope he keeps it up, because he’s slowly winning the remaining doubters over.
@James Doyle: I imagine Klopp has told him to put in the performances til the end of the season to make him not have to sign another keeper. Literally playing for his anfield career
@Declan Snow: He told him he was number one and he wanted him to prove he made the right choice.
@Declan Snow: think myself playing behind VvD has made all the difference. From his debut, Van Dijk has been encouraging Karius to make the area his own. For a young goalie, that must make a huge difference, having a centre half who talks to you and trusts you to take care of things behind him. He’s always had talent, but he just looks more at home now.
@James Doyle: Ye he certainly looks more confident. When we signed him he was apparently the 2nd best keeper in Germany. Having a big talker infront of him has to help. He just needs to come off his line a bit quicker and be more decisive around that and he’ll be there or there abouts a top keeper.
@James Doyle: high opinion of yourself there James if you think it‘s you playing behind VvD that‘s the difference. I‘ve never even noticed you on the pitch.
@PJ Connolly: hur hur. But as the sort of guy who delights in pointing out similar errors in others, I have to give you kudos. Smart assery is always welcome.
Exciting times at Liverpool would love see klopp and Liverpool win the league next season. Still Have great chance in champions league
Salah for top goalscorer
@Jordo: Kane will nick it luckily
It’s such a strange feeling as a Liverpool fan to see our keeper make a save like that (Karius has quietly been excellent for weeks now). We’ve been so used to having a poor standard of keeper for a long time now. Van Dijk is an incredible addition to the squad and I won’t hear otherwise, and with Karius stepping up, Liverpool have really really steadied the ship at the back. A few more midfield additions and we are so, so close.
@Laura Walsh: what about the ox, he’s coming into his own in a big way too the last few games. He has a fair few assists now too!
@Hardly Normal: absolutely love Ox. Just one of those lads that you really want to do well cause he seems so sound. So happy he’s playing well! Say he’s delighted he left the sinking ship.
Good win.great save by Karius in 1st half.onwards and upwards.Salah is a legend.Goes to show how well liverpool are playing when theres a slight sense of dissapointment when they only win by 2.
Salah top scorer shhhhh. This team is on route to becoming one of Liverpools greatest. Y.N.W.A.
@England’s Envy: huge similarities between your posts and the Anto Whelan pretend Dub troll.
Class again top 4 in the bag now finish 2nd and get a run in Europe