Kinsale's John Murphy fired six birdies a three-under par 69 to move to within four shots of the lead at halfway in the French International Amateur Open at Chantilly.

Playing out of Paris club Clement Ader this week, the 18-year-old Maynooth University talent shares fifth place on three-under-par with England's Bradley Moore and Dane Peter Launer Baek.

"The course is lovely, soft and with no wind, which is just what I like," said Murphy, who won the Munster Boys and played the Boys Home Internationals last year.

"I lost a ball and had three three-putts today so there's room for improvement. But overall, I'm playing nicely."

Murphy heads into Sunday's last two rounds four shots behind Denmark's Marcus Helligkilde, who added a 70 to his first round 65 to lead by a shot on seven-under par from Germany's Raphael Geissler, who was 34th in the Irish Amateur Open at Royal County Down.

South Africa's Kyle McClatchie, who was the joint halfway leader in Newcastle, shot a four-under-par 67 to share fourth place on four-under with Denmark's Morten Toft Hansen (69).

Scores