Marcus Armitage fired nine birdies, four of them consecutively from the 10th, as well as two bogeys to close with a 7-under 64 and take a ywo-shot lead at the FedEx Open de France.

“I was hitting it pretty close and just the putts started to drop,” said the Englishman. “I think I one-putted every green for that space of holes. Yes, that will work.

“Once you see a few go in, you get on a run and then you just feel like you’re just moving the putter and picking it out of the hole.

“You definitely feel it with the putter. You know, sometimes you get it with your irons and drivers become automatic, but mainly the putter, you get a lot of momentum with it.”

Armitage is currently 45th in the Race to Dubai Rankings and would like to improve his position this week.

“I’d love to get a Top 20, Top 15 on the Order of Merit and press forward from there. That’s a big goal for me, and this is an important week for The Race to Dubai. Just three more of them and we’ll see where we are.”

Australia’s Min Woo Lee made four consecutive birdies from the 6th as well as three more and two bogeys for a 66 and a share of second place at 5-under alongside France’s Julien Guerrier who made a single bogey.

Sam Bairstow of England carded a bogey-free 67 and lies in a seven-way tie for fourth place at 4-under.

American Brooks Koekpa made an eagle at the par-5 8th followed by a double bogey at the par-4 9th as well as four birdies and two bogeys for a 69 and lies in T28 at 2-under.

FedEx Open de France defending champion Dan Bradbury of England made one bogey and two birdies for a 70 and is currently T51 at 1-under.

Related: Brooks Koepka is set to play the FedEx Open de France

Brooks Koepka will play in the Open de France for the first time in his career this week

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