Open de France Preview, Picks & Analysis

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

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THE 100th staging of the French Open is certain to go down as the biggest and best in the tournament's illustrious history. With additional Ryder Cup points on offer and The Open Championship at Royal Troon just around the corner, an all-star cast is heading to Le Golf National.

The Albatross course, which will host the Ryder Cup in 2018, opened in 1990 and is widely regarded as being the best in France. It has been home to the French Open since 1991. 

Past champions at this famous old tournament include Henry Cotton, Robert De Vicenzo, Byron Nelson, Peter Oosterhuis, Seve Ballesteros (four times), Nick Faldo (three), Retief Goosen and Colin Montgomerie. More recent champions have included Miguel Angel Jimenez (2010), Thomas Levet (2011), Marcel Siem (2012) and Graeme McDowell (2013 and 2014). The defending champion is the highly-rated Bernd Weisberger, of Austria.

Rory McIroy leads the field at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. The Northern Irishman's pride has been hurt as he has fallen to fourth in the world rankings as a result of Dustin Johnson's dramatic victory at the US Open and he will arrive in France determined to wipe out any lingering memories of his missed cut at Oakmont. The tournament is being played at the same time as the WGC event at Akron, Ohio, and in an attempt to attract the best possible field, the European Tour is offering double Race to Dubai points.

As a result, McIlroy will be joined by the likes of Danny Willett, the Masters champion, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood, Francesco Molinari, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Soren Kjeldsen.

David Lingmerth, the Swede who won The Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour last year, is determined to make the Ryder Cup team and has opted to take part in France. Lingmerth played superbly at the US Open and is a world-class golfer who would be a huge asset to Darren Clarke's European team. He wouldn't be making the journey across the Atlantic unless he felt that he had a genuine chance of winning.

Westwood played himself into contention after three rounds of the US Open before a final round collapse saw him tumble down the leaderboard. The Englishman was bitterly disappointed, especially as he played the final round in the company of Dustin Johnson, the winner. He was seven over par after seven holes as his latest bid to win his first major ended in more heartbreak. 

There will be a huge home presence and massive pressure on French golfers to win this tournament. Victor Dubuisson, Gregory Bourdy, Romain Wattel, Alexander Levy and Julien Quesne all possess the game and the ability to withstand the pressure. For Dubuisson, in particular, this is an important week. The mercurial Frenchman is a streaky golfer and will be the first to admit that his recent form has been dismal. There would be no better time for him to rediscover his best.

Molinari has spent much of the season plying his trade on the PGA Tour, without a great deal of success. There have been flashes of brilliance but he has struggled to put together four solid rounds. The Italian is one of the best ball strikers in the game but has suffered his share of putting woes. In recent weeks, however, there have been signs that he may be turning things around, and he will enjoy his return to Europe.

Look out, too, for another big week for young Matthew Fitzpatrick. The Nordea Masters champion is the real deal. He is also a noted student of the game and will not need anybody to tell him how significant this week is. The Englishman has the game to win anywhere, in any conditions. In only his second season as a professional, he already has two wins to his name. The third will arrive soon.

But my pick is Andy Sullivan, of England. He probably needs one more big week to tie down his Ryder Cup place. Sullivan has been way short of his best after a remarkable 2015 season, but he came back with a bang at Oakmont. Sullivan is a man who feeds off confidence, and his morale will be sky high after proving once again that he is at home in the very best company. He is due a win, and this tournament could provide it for him.

French Open Picks

To Win:

Andy Sullivan. Ready to win again

Each Way:

Matthew Fitzpatrick. A genuine superstar

Each Way:

Rory McIlroy. Let's hope he has put Oakmont behind him

French Open Fantasy Picks

Andy Sullivan. The smiling assassin

Matthew Fitzpatrick. The harder the course, the better he plays

Rory McIlroy. Needs a confidence-boosting week

David Lingmerth. World-class performer

Lee Westwood. Determined to put Oakmont behind him

Danny Willett. Due another good week

Romain Wattel. Will win sooner or later

Francesco Molinari. Looking forward to time in Europe

Gregory Bourdy. In the form of his life

Graeme McDowell. Two-time former champion, loves France