Simon Khan (AFP)
England's Simon Khan produced the round of the day with a four-under 67 to grab the halfway lead at a weather-hit French Open on Friday.
Playing with an old, battered putter he had requisitioned from his two-year-old daughter in a bid to end his woes on the greens, the 35-year-old Khan had a bogey-free round with four birdies as he got to five-under for the tournament.
That was one-stroke clear of Irish Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley who had a second successive 69, and a revitalised Colin Montgomerie who added a 70 to his opening 68.
A further stroke back were English pair Tom Whitehouse and Zane Scotland who were level with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and joint first round leader Kyron Sullivan of Wales.
Khan made his big breakthrough in 2004 when he won the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, but he has hit a lean spell this year with his putting at sixes and sevens the main culprit.
Hence the drastic measure of recovering his old stick from his infant daughter.
"I changed my putter and shortened it and decreased the loft," he said.
"It's the one I had in the loft, but it's a bit battered as my two-year-old's been playing with it. Her stroke was better than mine."
For Scotland's Montgomerie and Ireland's McGinley it was a welcome return to form for both as they struggle to get their top game back in time for the British Open at Carnoustie in three weeks time.
Montgomerie finished with a beaming smile on his face as he sunk a 30-foot birdie putt at the last to duck under par for the day.
"I haven't actually put two rounds together all year and 68-70 here is good scoring," he said.
"But one round doesn't make a summer. I had to put two together and this gives me confidence to put three and four together."
McGinley, whose world ranking has slumped from a high of 18th last year, admits that he has been struggling to post good scores when it really matters.
"My game is about consistency, but pro golf is not about that - it's about the big weeks and I haven't had any yet this season," said the Dubliner.
"My stroke average is right up there, but on the Order of Merit I'm 120th. It's kind of weird - my game has not been horrendous, but the results have."
French hopes of a third home win in four years were still alive with flag-bearer Thomas Levet battling in the cold, gusty conditions at Le Golf National to a 73 which left him at two under for the tournament.
In-form Raphael Jacquelin was a further stroke back after also coming in with a two-over 73.
"It was so cold out there and the wind was up," the French No.1 said.
"It was like the whole course was made up of par-fives.
"My aim this morning was to stay under par and I've managed that which allows me to make the cut at the French Open for the first time in four years."
But it was a miserable Friday for joint first round leader, James Kamte. The 24-year-old South African followed his brilliant opening 65 with a horrendous seven over 78.
Among those missing the cut at four over were former Asian No.1 Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Spanish Ryder Cup star Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and last year's winner John Bickerton of England.
© 2007 AFP/sid
