Le Golf National, a European Tour Properties Destination, has been a happy hunting ground for European Senior Tour members over the years. Four of this year’s Paris Legends Championship field have previously won on this famous course, and we take a look at how they triumphed on French soil…
Rocca rises to the top
Italian Costantino Rocca completed a unique double on French soil with his win at the 1993 Open de France.
The two-time Ryder Cup star won Italy’s first European Tour title at the Open de Lyon, triumphing by six shots ahead of a chasing pack which included Barry Lane and Paul McGinley.
Less than two months later, Rocca was back on French soil at Le Golf National, where he took a share of the lead into the final round of the Open de France.
He moved clear with birdies on the 14th and 15th holes, but dropped shots on the 17th and 18th saw Paul McGinley draw level, forcing a play-off.
It took just one extra hole to settle the championship, as McGinley pulled his drive into deep rough, allowing Rocca to win the second of five European Tour titles.
Torrance emerges triumphant once again
Scottish Ryder Cup hero Sam Torrance won his 20th European Tour title in 1995, but had to wait three years for what would be his 21st – and last – victory.
Torrance managed two runner-up finishes in 1996 and four top ten finishes across the 1996 and 1997 seasons, but a win eluded him.
That was until his visit to Le Golf National in 1998. The Scot led after the first and second rounds, and was joint leader going into the final day of play.
Torrance finished with a flourish, with birdies on the 17th – where he struck a seven-wood to less than two feet – and 18th holes setting the seal on a two-shot win from four players, including fellow Ryder Cup legend Bernhard Langer.
Super Mac ends a 20 year wait for maiden title
Malcolm Mackenzie teed off at his 509th European Tour event at the 2002 Open de France, and after finding himself just one shot behind leader Mårten Olander after the first round, he was five shots off the pace after the second.
The 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman led by four shots at Le Golf National, with Mackenzie a further stroke behind. But a superb third round of 65 saw the Englishman take the lead going into the final day’s play.
The pair finished level par on the final day, with Mackenzie finding the 18th green from 200 yards with a two iron, leaving him two putts for victory.
Phil strikes Gold in Paris
After a record 16 visits to Qualifying School during a professional career which started in 1991, Phil Golding won his maiden European Tour title in what was his 201st event.
In the Englishman’s previous 200 outings, his best finish had been sixth, seven years previously.
A final round of 69 saw him finish one stroke ahead of David Howell, and two shots ahead of a young Justin Rose.
He finished in style with a birdie on the 18th hole after firing his second shot over the famous greenside lake at Le Golf National.
