Following a memorable week in Germany at the BMW International Open, the European Tour now crosses the border and heads to Paris for the 100th Open de France. Here is all you need to know:
Rewind
Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger claimed a third European Tour title with a stunning performance over the weekend around Le Golf National’s Albatros course. Trailing halfway leaders Rafa Cabrera Bello, Victor Dubuisson and Martin Kaymer by two shots, Wiesberger produced rounds of 66 and 65 to reach 13 under par, three shots ahead of Englishman James Morrison. Morrison, along with third-placed Jaco Van Zyl and fifth-placed Cabrera Bello, earned qualification for the Open Championship at St Andrews.
Bite-sized history
This year marks the 100th staging of the Open de France, which has been on the European Tour schedule since the tour’s inception in 1972. In that time, five players have successfully defended their title: Peter Oostherhuis (1973-74), Seve Ballesteros (1985-86), Sir Nick Faldo (1988-89), Jean-François Remesy (2004-05) and Graeme McDowell (2013-14). Ballesteros, with four victories, has won the tournament the most times. Nine Major winners (Ballesteros, Faldo, Reteif Goosen, Kaymer, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, McDowell, Greg Norman and José María Olazábal) have triumphed in the event since 1972.
The field
Rory McIlroy heads a strong field descending on Versailles as one of eight Major winners teeing it up this week. He is joined by Masters Champion Danny Willett, as well as European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Kaymer, McDowell, Mike Weir and Y.E. Yang. Former winners playing this week are Kaymer, Pablo Larrazábal, McDowell, Marcel Siem, Graeme Storm and Wiesberger. Leading the home charge are Victor Dubuisson, Grégory Bourdy – off the back of his strong challenge at the US Open Championship – Alexander Levy and Gary Stal, while former World Number Ones Luke Donald and Lee Westwood are also in the field. Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Cabrera Bello, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood are the other players in the World’s Top 50 heading for the French capital.
The course
Le Golf National’s Albatros course will host the tournament for the 24th time, though having undergone extensive remodelling since last year’s event in preparation for hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup. Designed by Hubert Chesnau and opened in 1990, it measures 7,247 yards. Eduardo Romero (2005) established a new course record, which was matched by Kaymer on his way to victory in 2009, of 62 (-9).
Key stats
· First held in 1906 and in its 100thstaging this year, the Open de France is continental Europe’s oldest national open.
· This year, to mark the historic centenary edition of the tournament, the 100thOpen de France will count as two events played in the 2016 Race to Dubai, as well as offering enhanced points towards both the Ryder Cup World Points List and the European Points List.
· The top four players not already exempt finishing inside the top 12 will earn qualification for this year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon next month.
· Ballesteros’ winning total of 263, 21 under par, in 1985 is the lowest aggregate score since the Open de France joined the European Tour’s calendar; Larrazábal’s 269, 15 under par, from 2008 is the lowest total score at Le Golf National.
· The last time the tournament was decided by a play-off was in 2010 when Miguel Angel Jiménez beat Alejandro Cañizares and Francesco Molinari on the first extra hole.
