Simon Thornton is making birdies in Paris.Simon Thornton carded a second successive 68 but found himself five shots adrift of Scotland’s Jamie McLeary at the halfway stage of the Allianz Challenge de France.

The Co Down based Englishman, now playing under the Irish flag, had seven birdies in a three under par effort at Golf Disneyland near Paris.

Simon Thornton got his Challenge Tour season off to a positive start when he opened with a three under par 68 in the Allianz Challenge de France at Golf Disneyland near Paris.

The Ulster-based Englishman finished the day in a nine-way share of 14th place with Dubliner Niall Kearney, four shots behind 19-year old Swede Joakim Lagergren.