FedEx Open de France 2026 preview picks analysis

The big tournaments in Europe keep coming thick and fast and this week it is the turn of the Open de France at the magnificent Le Golf National, with yet another star-studded field.

PGA Tour winners Kristoffer Reitan and Bud Cauley will join an impressive line-up on the outskirts of Paris. The pair, who each claimed their maiden titles on the PGA Tour earlier this year, strengthen a stellar field that also includes the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland.

Tommy Fleetwood

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Reitan, making his third appearance at Continental Europe’s oldest national open, will be hoping to add to a strong first season as a dual member.

The Norwegian, whose maiden DP World Tour title at the 2025 Soudal Open formed part of an excellent run that saw him finish eighth on the Race to Dubai and earn playing rights across the pond, has registered four top ten finishes on the PGA Tour to date, including a magnificent victory at the Truist Championship in May. It followed the perfect start to his season on the DP World Tour, where he claimed the Nedbank Golf Challenge in December.

The 28-year-old will now set his sights on a third DP World Tour title in France, building on his fifth-place finish in last year’s event.

"I’m really looking forward to playing in my third FedEx Open de France and returning to such a great venue in Le Golf National," Reitan said. "I have some really nice memories from last year’s event, and when I made my debut in 2019. Hopefully we can make this year one to remember too."

Cauley will tee it up for the first time in France, following long-awaited success at the RBC Canadian Open in June. The American won in his 239th career start on the PGA Tour, 15 years after turning pro and eight years on from a car accident that sidelined him for an extended period.

He will now hope to add more magic to a memorable season.

"I’m excited to be playing my first Open de France. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the event, and can’t wait to experience it for myself," Cauley said. "It’s been a special season so far, so hopefully we can continue the momentum."

Unsurprisingly, there is a sizeable home presence with Julien Guerrier, Antoine Rozner, Romain Langasque, Frederic Lacroix, Victor Perez, Jeong weon Ko and Ugo Coussaud among those hoping to deliver French victory, along with rising stars Martin Couvra, Oihan Guillamoundeguy and Tom Vaillant.

For Guerrier, it will mark a 15th appearance in Continental Europe’s oldest national open, having first featured in the 2005 edition staged at the same venue.

The 41-year-old, who claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2024 Andalucía Masters following a Tour record-equalling nine hole play-off, has tallied four top ten finishes so far this season, his best coming at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January.

"This tournament is one I look forward to every season," said Guerrier. "Having the opportunity to play at home and feel the support from the French fans is still surreal, even after all these years. I am excited for another great edition."

Three-time DP World Tour winner Rozner returns to his national open following a 12th place finish last year. The 33-year-old, who became the fastest Frenchman to win twice on Tour with his victories at the 2020 Golf in Dubai Championship and the Qatar Masters three months later, will feature for the fifth time, hoping the 2026 edition is one to remember.

"I’m very excited to return home for the FedEx Open de France," said Rozner. "It’s always special to play in front of a strong and passionate French crowd. Hopefully we can create some amazing memories together."

Langasque will be looking to create his own magic after claiming his first title as a professional in his home country, winning the Hopps Open de Provence on the HotelPlanner Tour in 2018. The 31-year-old went on to triumph at the 2020 Wales Open on the DP World Tour.

Langasque finished inside the top ten at the Magical Kenya Open earlier this season and will be eager to impress again on home soil, for what will be his eighth appearance at the FedEx Open de France.

"The FedEx Open de France means a lot to me, and I’m excited to return for another year," said Langasque. "It’s always an honour to represent my country and I look forward to giving it my all on French soil."

Lacroix adds to a formidable French line-up. The 31-year-old, having secured his maiden DP World Tour title at the Danish Golf Championship in 2024, has enjoyed two top ten finishes so far this season, including a share of second at the Investec South African Open Championship in March.

The Parisian will prepare for his fifth showing at his national open. "Playing at home is always a privilege," said Lacroix. "The French fans create a fantastic atmosphere, which I can’t wait to experience again. I look forward to seeing everyone for what I’m sure will be a great week."

Three-time DP World Tour winner Perez will be looking to capitalise on his strong form, in what will be his seventh FedEx Open de France.

The 33-year-old, who narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal at Le Golf National in 2024, has posted three top ten finishes across five starts this season, the most recent being a share of ninth place at lthe Scottish Open.

"I’m really looking forward to teeing it up again at the FedEx Open de France," said Perez. "I have a lot of fond memories playing Le Golf National, and I have no doubt we’re in for another great week."

Ko returns for redemption, having fallen one stroke short of a maiden DP World Tour title to American Michael Kim in last year’s event. The 28-year-old, who closed with a 65 for what remains his best DP World Tour finish to date, will tee it up for a fifth edition.

Coussaud, the second-highest ranked Frenchman on the Race to Dubai, rounds out those chasing glory on home soil, with 2026 to mark his fourth FedEx Open de France. The 33-year-old has three top ten finishes to his name so far this season, with a breakthrough title in his sights.

"It always means a lot to play in front of family and friends, especially in a tournament with such history," said Coussaud. "It has been a great event to be part of in the past, and I look forward to another amazing experience next month."

Michael Kim will return to defend his FedEx Open de France title after claiming a thrilling one-shot victory on his debut last year.

The 33-year-old holed his clutch putt at the last to win nearly 12 months ago, a feat which saw him become the first American to take France’s national open since Barry Jaeckel in 1972. The victory also marked his first worldwide win in over seven years, the 2018 John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour being his last.

Kim will now look to recreate his success on French soil in a fortnight’s time. "I’m excited to be coming back to defend my title at this year’s FedEx Open de France," said Kim. "I have amazing memories from last year, and to claim the title really was a dream come true. Hopefully we can make this year a special one too."

Fellow American Ryan Gerard, making his debut, will be hoping to add to a remarkable year. The 2025 Barracuda Championship winner has recorded three runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour along with a solo third-place performance at the Tour Championship, and can count himself unlucky not to be playing in the Presidents Cup this week.

The 27-year-old will now set his sights on a second DP World Tour title, as he aims to continue his impressive stretch into Europe.

"I’m excited to be heading to France and playing in such a historic event," said Gerard. "I’ve heard a lot of good things about the course, so can’t wait to experience it for myself. Hopefully we can play some great golf and put on a show for the fans."

With his LIV future uncertain, former Open champion Cam Smith will also make his Open de France debut, in what will mark his third DP World Tour event outside of the majors this season. He was runner-up on home soil at the Crown Australian Open last December and in a share of seventh at the US PGA Championship in May, with the goal to go even better on the outskirts of Paris.

"I’m looking forward to teeing it up in France for the first time. It’s going to be a great test, and a really strong field," said Smith, a six-time PGA Tour winner. "This event has so much history and I’m excited to be part of it."

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2015 by Bernd Wiesberger, in 2016 by Thongchai Jaidee, in 2017 by Tommy Fleetwood, in 2018 by Alex Noren, in 2019 by Nicolas Colsaerts, in 2022 by Guido Migliozzi, in 2023 by Ryo Hisatsune, in 2024 by Dan Bradbury and last year by Michael Kim.

The Course:

Le Golf National is a magnificent par 71 that measures 7,247 yards. It features plenty of natural spectator areas, proper rough, narrow fairways, water hazards, and well-protected undulating greens. This is a real test.

Prize Money:

Total prize money is $3.75m, with 5,000 Race to Dubai points and 1,000 Ryder Cup points going to the winner.

How to Watch:

Thursday, September 24, Sky Sports Golf, 12.30pm; Friday, September 25, Sky Sports Golf, 12.30pm; Sunday, September 26, Sky Sports Golf, midday; Sunday, September 27, Sky Sports Golf, 11.30am.