Open de France preview

The French Open that was won by Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal last year returns with a stellar field as many of the world's top players continue their preparation for the Open a Turnberry which is just two weeks away

Pablo Larrazabal defends his French open title
Thomas Patrick Clarke
By
published

Lowdown:

This stadium style course which was opened in 1990 has plenty of water hazards around the course, especialy over the opening two holes and the closing holes from 13.The course has quite a lot of undulation on the fairways, which should be hard and have quite a bit of run on them. The rough although not being incredibly tough should still be a test to escape from. While the greens should be fast with serious undulation at times. The course could play slightly harder than the 15 under par that Spainard Pablo Larrazabal shot last year when he saw off Colin Montgormerie's challenge by four shots.

Venue: Le Golf National, Paris Course stats: par 71, 7,300 yards Purse: €4,000,000, Winner: €666,660 Defending Champion: Pablo Larrazabal (-15)

TV coverage:

Thursday 2nd July – Live on Sky Sports 1 from 9.30am, then on Sky Sports 2 from 2.30pm. Friday 3rd July –Live on Sky Sports 1 from 9.30am. Saturday 4th July – Live on Sky Sports 3 from 12.00noon. Sunday 5th July – Live on Sky Sports 2 from 11.30am.

Player Watch: 

Padraig Harrington – will attempt to win his third Open Championship title in a row at Turnberry in two weeks’ time so look to see how his preparations are going.

Angel Cabrera – who took his own tally of Major Championship successes to two when he won the Masters Tournament at Augusta National in April.

Miguel Angel Jiménez – will have reason to celebrate the moment he tees off on Thursday as he reaches the notable milestone of his 500th European Tour event.

Key hole:

18th – This hole will make or break your round, is a monsterous par 4 of 470 yards which needs a long second shot to a green surrounded by water. Many could play this as a par 5. Saw a huge 61 double bogeys hit here in last year's event.

Skills required: Distance off the tee, while keeping it on the short stuff. Larrazabal had the lowest putting average in last year's event so that could be the ultimate key.

Where next? R&A offer Competition page Open de France Betting guide

Thomas Patrick Clarke
Thomas Patrick Clarke
Sports Digital Editor

Tom Clarke joined Golf Monthly as a sub editor in 2009 being promoted to content editor in 2012 and then senior content editor in 2014, before becoming Sports Digital Editor for the Sport Vertical within Future in 2022. Tom currently looks after all the digital products that Golf Monthly produce including Strategy and Content Planning for the website and social media - Tom also assists the Cycling, Football, Rugby and Marine titles at Future. Tom plays off 16 and lists Augusta National (name drop), Old Head and Le Touessrok as the favourite courses he has played. Tom is an avid viewer of all golf content with a particularly in depth knowledge of the pro tour.

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