Echenique leads Open de France golf

Rafa Echenique’s 4-under-par 67 Friday left him with a two-stroke lead midway through the European Tour’s Open de France golf tournament in Paris.

Echenique’s 36-hole total, 10-under 132, leads first-round front-runner, Martin Kaymer (72), Charl Schwartzel (66) and Steve Webster (65), who are tied for third at 134.

I’ve had a good three weeks and you have to enjoy the moment, said Echenique, who was the runner-up at last week’s BMW International in Munich after missing three straight cuts. If my putting is as good as it has been for the first two rounds, then I have a great chance to win this tournament.

A birdie at the par-5 ninth hole helped him overtake Kaymer on the way to a solid back nine at Le Golf National.

Richard Green (67) and Peter Hanson (70) share fifth place at 7-under 135.

The cut was 1-over 143. Among those missing it were Masters champion Angel Cabrera (145) and last year’s British Open winner and PGA Champion Padraig Harrington (147).