Refreshed Fichardt takes lead in France

South African Darren Fichardt took the lead in the French Open as he shot a 66 at Le Golf National today.

Fichardt, whose two European tour wins have come in faraway Brazil and Qatar, came home in 31 to pinch the lead when conditions eased a little during the afternoon.

The 29-year-old failed to qualify for last week’s US Open and instead went with his wife to Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida.

“I feel very refreshed – we’ve not had a holiday like that in a while and we’ve always wanted to go there.”