PARIS — Ryan Gerard might have been representing the United States in the Presidents Cup this week.
Instead, he’s in contention at a big DP World Tour event for the second week straight after shooting a 6-under 65 on Friday to be three shots off the lead at the halfway point of the Open de France.
Matt Fitzpatrick, the world No. 4, shot a bogey-free 64 to reach 13 under heading into the weekend at Le Golf National outside Paris.
Jeff Winther was a shot back of Fitzpatrick after posting a 64 in Round 2.
Defending champion Michael Kim of the U.S. led after the opening round but bogeyed the last hole on Friday for a 3-under 68 that dropped him into solo third through 36 holes.
Kim’s fellow American Gerard and Frenchman Tom Vaillant sit T-4 at 10 under.
Despite a top-10 at The Open and a third-place finish at the Tour Championship last month, Gerard wasn’t among U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker’s six captain’s picks for the Presidents Cup taking place at Medinah.
Even last week, Gerard led by two shots after 36 holes at the BMW PGA Championship — the DP World Tour’s flagship event — before finishing tied for 27th.
J.J. Spaun, another Snedeker snub, went on to win the tournament at Wentworth.
