Billy Horschel is targeting his second DP World Tour victory of the season at the FedEx Open de France as he bids to challenge Rory McIlroy in the quest to be crowned Race to Dubai champion.
With reigning Race to Dubai champion McIlroy not in action again until next month’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the American has an opportunity to make up ground in the season-long rankings with a strong performance at Le Golf National.
Horschel catapulted into contention by winning the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club on the Rolex Series for a second time last month, and he now wants to become just the fourth American – after Barry Jaeckel, Byron Nelson and Walter Hagen – to win Continental Europe's oldest national open.
The 37-year-old sits third in the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex on 2,480.00 points, with McIlroy firmly in control on 4,532.33 after another consistent campaign which has seen him win in Dubai at the start of the year and record four runner-up finishes.
But with 800 points on offer for the winner this week at Le Golf National, Horschel is intent on keeping himself in the mix as he looks to become a four-time winner on the DP World Tour.
"Any time you tee it up, you want to win and you want to accumulate as many wins as you can in your career," said Horschel.
"I would love to add the FedEx Open de France to my resumé and be able to have a chance to win the [DP World] Tour Championship.
"Any time you get a chance to travel around the world and win tournaments, you show that you truly are a global player and somewhat of a world-class player."
McIlroy is looking to equal the late, great Seve Ballesteros’ record of six Harry Vardon trophies, while Horschel is bidding to emulate Collin Morikawa as just the second American to win the Race to Dubai after his historic success in 2021.
Having missed the cut at last week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by one shot, Horschel is looking to bounce back quickly as he headlines a field which also boasts Major champion Justin Rose, fellow PGA TOUR winner Matthieu Pavon, 2023 Ryder Cup winner Nicolai Højgaard and the fast-rising Thriston Lawrence, who sits second in the Race to Dubai.
"You always want to see drama at the end," added Horschel. "You always want to see the excitement.
"As a golf fan myself, you want to see something exciting towards the end of a golf tournament. There's always good things when you have drama there."
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Horschel made his debut at France’s national open last season, finishing tied 20th after four rounds of level par or better.
Regarded as one of the toughest assignments on the DP World Tour, the dual member believes the Albatros Course could play somewhat easier this week after heavy rain affected Wednesday's final day of pre-tournament practice, including the Pro-Am.
"It's a great golf course," he explained. "I love the golf course. It's one of the reasons I wanted to come back again this year, and I think the scoring is going to be really good because of the soft conditions."
Former World Number One Rose is teeing it up at the Open de France for the first time since 2012, when he finished ninth, as he too aims for a strong finish to the campaign after a short break since last month's BMW PGA Championship.
The Englishman has fond memories of host venue Le Golf National having helped Europe regain the Ryder Cup in 2018 under Thomas Bjørn and admits it doesn't take long for flashbacks of that success to come back.
"The course is iconic in the sense of the finishing stretch around the lakes and things like that, you remember moments that happened out there, and of course it was a special European win again," he reflected.
"Obviously we saw the Olympics here earlier in the year. This golf course is made for great events. I am excited to be back from that point of view, and obviously with FedEx stepping up [as title partner], this tournament feels like it's got good energy."
