Shiwan Kim builds lead at Saint-Omer Open

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LUMBRES, France, June 15 (UPI) -- Shiwan Kim closed with back-to-back birdies Friday in taking the lead halfway through the European Tour's Saint-Omer Open in France.

Kim, who started second-round play in a three-way tie for the lead, shot 2-under-par 69 and is at 6-under 136 after 36 holes.

Darren Fichardt, who was also 2-under Friday, is in second at 5-under for the tournament. Adam Gee and Simon Wakefield opened the day tied with Kim but both shot 1-over 72 and are tied for third, three strokes off the pace. Gee's round included an 8 at the par-5 14th and Wakefield had a 6 at the par-4 13th.

Wil Besseling and Simon Thornton, who also turned in 69s, are tied for fifth at 2-under.

Kim started the round on the second nine of the Saint Omer Golf Club and had eight consecutive pars. He birdied the 439-yard, par-4 18th but gave that stroke back with a bogey at No. 2. He strung together another five pars before finishing with birdies at 8 and 9.