Stadler Extends Lead in French Open


Despite a double-bogey on the final hole, Kevin Stadler stretched his lead in the Alstom Open de France. The European Tour event got underway Thursday at Le Golf National in Paris.

The 34-year-old American followed up his opening 7-under 64 with a 68 to reach 10-under 132, three strokes ahead of Frenchman Victor Riu, who's shot a 68 and 67.

Stadler, who notched his maiden PGA Tour victory in February's Waste Management Open - a win that also earned him a career-first trip to the Masters, started play on the 10th tee. He played steadily on his front nine with four birdies, making the turn in 4-under 31.

But Stadler, who recorded 11 birdies and no dropped shots through 31 holes, carded his first bogey of the tournament on the par-4 fifth hole (his 14th), then rebounded with two straight birdies. But on the par-5 ninth (his final hole Friday), Stadler shanked his approach and ended the round with a double-bogey.

I just tried to get a little too much out of it," Stadler told the European Tour's website of his final-hole slip-up. "I didn't have the best of lies and had to hit the shot perfectly. I got a little too steep on it and it came off the hosel and into the deep stuff.

"It was not exactly how I planned to finish the day, but overall it was another good day so it's all good. I putted brilliantly the first couple of days. I got a little sloppy on my final nine today, but other than that, struck the ball very well as well, had a lot of chances and rolled in a lot of nice putts."

With his first title this year, Stadler qualified for his first Masters in April, joining his father, 1982 green jacket winner Craig Stadler, to comprise the first-ever father-son pairing to play in the same Masters Tournament.

Since at time, however, Stadler hasn't played well. But he's hopeful his season can get kick-started this week in Paris. "It's been a little rotten the last couple of months, but it's starting to show some signs of form again and I've hit plenty of good shots the last couple of days.

"Hopefully, I can do more of the same at the weekend, the putter keeps cooperating and I am looking forward to the last couple of days."

Stadler and the other early starters took advantage of the relatively benign conditions at Le Golf National as, in late morning, the weather turned and the rains came.

Marcel Siem began Friday only a stroke behind Stadler. The 33-year-old German, one of the late starters, posted a 72 and is now five strokes behind the leader in third.

Defending champion Graeme McDowell followed up his opening 70 with a 69. The Northern Irishman is among several players in a tie for fourth at 3-under 139, seven shots behind Stadler.

Reigning U.S. Open champion, Martin Kaymer, who missed the cut in last week's BMW International Open in his native Germany, recorded rounds of 72 and 68 to safely make the projected cut of 3-over 145.

For updated scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014052/leaderboard/index.html.