Tom Vaillant gives chase at home Open as Matt Fitzpatrick leads

Home favourite Tom Vaillant positioned himself as the main challenger to Matt Fitzpatrick going into the final round of the 2026 Open de France.

A round of 67 left the 24-year-old second on his own at Le Golf National as he seeks a maiden DP World Tour win on the most fitting stage.

Vaillant birdied the third and fourth to get his round up and running, with another at the ninth seeing him out in 33.

Two more birdies at the 15th and 17th sandwiched his only dropped shot of an impressive day and though he still trailed the imperious Fitzpatrick by five strokes, he will go out in the final group on Sunday.

Vaillant went desperately close to another birdie at the last, pulling his cap over his face as his long putt slipped inches by before tapping in for par.

He said: "It was a very nice round. I think I missed only two greens, so that helps. And, yeah, it's an amazing golf course, so I'm trying to enjoy it."

Vaillant received a hero's welcome on the first tee and the cheers continued throughout his round, including for his near miss at the last.

"Yeah, that's amazing," he added. "I mean, in many sports I think the French crowd is the best crowd, and today they showed it. So it's fantastic playing at home in front of all the family, friends and all the French golfers, it's amazing.

"Whatever happens tomorrow, it's something I will never forget, the final group here in the French Open. So I'll just try to enjoy it, and we'll see what happens. But the main thing is enjoying tomorrow."

Vaillaint's heroics left him a shot ahead of a group featuring Eugenio Chacarra and Brandon Stone, who produced the lowest rounds of Moving Day.

Stone had three birdies in the first five holes and eight overall as he defied illness to shoot 63, a score later matched by Guido Migliozzi.

The South African said: "I've been struggling with the flu a little bit the last few days. So I didn't wake up feeling particularly fresh this morning.

"I saw a little one per cent recovery in my Whoop (fitness tracker). So I was, 'hmm, I haven't really got any expectations for today'... and just played flawless golf. Just hit it really nicely. Gave myself so many chances, and the putter just worked.

"I don't think I've got many 'one per cent recovery' 63s left in me, but I'll take that one today."

Spaniard Chacarra went one better with a 62, capped by a birdie-eagle finish, and said: "All week I've been playing unbelievable golf, the first couple of rounds the putts didn't want to go in, and today we finally see some putts go in.

"Matt Fitzpatrick is playing great, so I'm kind of far away. But tomorrow is the same thing, try to go as low as possible, play my game, and see where that takes me."