The DP World Tour heads to the outskirts of Paris this week for Continental Europe's oldest national open - the FedEx Open de France. Here are your five things to know.
Home heroes have high hopes
We arrive in France this week with French golf in one of the healthiest states it has been in its history. Matthieu Pavon is leading the way, sat 26th in the Official World Golf Ranking having claimed his maiden wins on both the DP World and PGA Tours in the last 12 months but he is not the only star on show. Romain Langasque sits 14th on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and is on course for dual membership come the end of the season, while Frederic Lacroix and David Ravetto have both claimed maiden DP World Tour victories in recent weeks. Add in three-time DP World Tour winners Victor Perez and Antoine Rozner, rising stars Ugo Coussaud, Jeong weon Ko and Tom Vaillant and the ever-consistent Julien Guerrier and Adrien Saddier, and there is good reason to back a home winner come Sunday.
Frankie's back
Francesco Molinari returns to Le Golf National six years after making Ryder Cup history over the famed layout. The Italian enjoyed a truly remarkable 2018, claiming a maiden Major at The Open Championship, a Rolex Series title at the BMW PGA Championship and the Harry Vardon Trophy but it may be his match play exploits that will be best remembered. He won four points with Tommy Fleetwood as part of the famous Moliwood combination before officially sealing victory against Phil Mickelson in the singles to become the first European to win five points from five at a Ryder Cup. He has not teed it up at Le Golf National since but with three runner-up finishes and another top ten at this event, he could be ready for another impressive week.
A storied venue
The Albatross Course at Le Golf National wrote another chapter in its remarkable history this summer when it hosted golf at the Olympic Games, the latest in a long line of illustrious tournaments to be held in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. Opened in 1990, the layout held its first Open de France in 1991 and has been home to the event ever since barring the 1999 and 2001 editions. It has also played its part in the amateur game, hosting both the Eisenhower Trophy and Espirito Santo Trophy in 1994 and 2022. It is that 2018 Ryder Cup for which it will always be remembered, however, as Europe claimed a thumping 17½-10½ win over the United States. The famous 18th has produced some memorable moments over the past two decades, none more so than this piece of magic from Guido Migliozzi in 2022.
Back 9 heating up ahead of Play-Offs
There are just two events remaining on the Back 9 after this week as the DP World Tour season reaches its climax with yet more international world-class golf. Across the FedEx Open de France, Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and Genesis Championship, players will be battling to get into the top 70 on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and the DP World Tour Play-Offs. The 70 players who make it to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will then be whittled down to the top 50 for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, where the winner of the Harry Vardon Trophy will be crowned. Can anyone stop Rory McIlroy from becoming European Number One for a sixth time?
Historic event ready to deliver with FedEx
This season is the first to see FedEx as the title sponsor of the historic Open de France. FedEx has also become the Official Express Shipping Company of the FedEx Open de France. The Strategic Alliance between the PGA TOUR and the DP World Tour was pivotal in securing this historic agreement. FedEx has a long-standing relationship with the PGA TOUR dating back to 1986 with its sponsorship of the annual tournament in Memphis at TPC Southwind, currently the FedEx St. Jude Championship. FedEx expanded its involvement with the PGA TOUR in 2002 by becoming an Official Marketing Partner and then added the umbrella sponsorship position of the PGA TOUR’s season long FedExCup competition in 2007, which concludes with the FedExCup Playoffs each August.
