The first games were played under a curtain of heavy rain and it was not until the early afternoon that everyone, spectators and athletes, could enjoy the Albatross in the dry. A feat is to be put to the credit of a tricolor, Adrien Saddier. The Haut-Savoyard played in the pouring rain for at least 2h30 and signed the best score of the day, 68. He goes back to provisional 10th place.

HNA Open de France: Peter UIHLEIN at the start of Albatross 1 - Credit: © TPlassais / swing-feminin.

The weather was better for the leading parties and Alexander Björk, 70 today, recognized his luck.

“Yes when I got to the golf course it was raining really hard and I warmed up in the rain. It got up 30 minutes with my departure and the wind started to blow a bit. It was difficult so yes, I'm happy. Happy with the way I played, the way I fought to come back when I didn't have a good start. My strength today, my mind. "

Same story for the American Peter Uihlein who returns a card in the par but is content with philosophy.

“There are a few holes where when you go out with a par 4 or 3 you feel like you've played really well. There are a few holes where you can hope for better but I couldn't take advantage of the ones where I had a wedge for the flag. I think the preparation of the course on the outward leg was difficult. Some holes, deemed easy, had been hardened and vice versa on traditionally difficult holes.

But hey, the lowest score is -3 so, yes, a tough day and I'm not at all frustrated with my card in par. "

The leaders are followed by a duo of Ryder Cup players. Indeed, the Englishman Andy Sullivan and the Belgian Thomas Pieters are just one head away and intend to make their talent heard on the last lap.

On the French side, Mike Lorenzo-Vera confirms his good form for the last 6 months, he returns a card of 70, -1 and points to 16th place alongside Grégory Havret. Gary Stal is a step further to 16th position.

A mishap penalized Grégory Bourdy with 4 penalty strokes. The Bordelais dropping the wrong zone at 18 and signed a bad card, the addition will be heavy, 4 more strokes on the hole and a score of 79.