BlogFrench Open Preview and Picks

The Buzz:

For European Tour chief Executive Keith Pelley, it was a bit of a struggle but he did his best to get a first class field to the 100th French Open.  Seems that when the schedule was announced last year, nothing was said when the WGC Bridgestone was moved opposite the French Open.  With the Olympics entering the fray this year, it’s put a strain on scheduling events.  So when the first schedule was put out, nothing was done.  But months later, Pelley took control of the European Tour and heard the complaints from the folks that not only run the French Open but also have a big interest in the Ryder Cup, held on the same course in 2018.

So Pelley had no solution to the problem, other than not sanctioning a World Golf Championship event and giving incentives to players. First for players that compete on both the European and PGA Tour, Pelley raised the purse a half a million dollars, but also added more Ryder Cup points.  But the most important “perk” was to count this weeks event as two events for the Race to Dubai.  So for a player like Rory McIlroy, that means he can play in one less European Tour event this year.

Realistically stat wise it didn’t increase a better field for the tournament, but by having players like Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Chris Wood and Danny Willett playing in France instead of Akron was important.

Course information:

Le Golf National

• Versailles, France
• 7,249 yards     Par 36-35–71
• Le Golf National’s Albatros course will host the tournament for the 25th time, though having undergone extensive remodelling since last year’s event in preparation for hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup. Designed by Hubert Chesnau and opened in 1990, it measures 7,249 yards. Eduardo Romero (2005) established a new course record, which was matched by Kaymer on his way to victory in 2009, of 62 (-9).
• The course, is on the outskirts of Paris on the land surrounding the Palace of Versailles, once the home of Louis XIV. It is a public, inland-links/target-style course that is regularly ranked among the top five in Continental Europe.  The course is dotted with links-style bunkers guarding vast fairways. But there are also water hazards that are commonplace on American-style courses. The players love it, and it will be a perfect risk-reward venue for Ryder Cup match-play drama.
• The course has undergone some significant changes since last year, in preparation for 2018 so for a lot of players they will have to learn new ways of playing the course.

Here are some of the secrets of what it takes to play well at the French Open:

Key stat for the winner:

The Albatross course was built on flat farmland and manages to combine a links feel with American style target golf. The course has wide undulating fairways, with links style bunkering, water hazards and with artificially created sand dunes it offers a tough test of golf.  At the same time long hitters have an advantage and it’s a course that can be overpowered.  But in looking at the stats of the past seven winners have one trait and that is putting.  Those that putt well have won which shows that good putters will have a good week.

Here are some more key stats to look to for this week:

• The average Driving Accuracy ranking for the last 12 winners is 22.7, so accuracy is more important than power off the tee but it’s not been the be all and end all stat either. Length is obviously not an issue so that opens things up quite a bit. Look for the winner to be someone who doesn’t like to muscle up with the driver, and just settle for using a long iron for control. Look at some of the past winners of the event they haven’t over power the course so looking for accuracy over length.
• Water hazards come into play on 8 holes, and wind is often a factor on this relatively flat course.
• Weather looks like it will be a factor early, it will be hard to practice on the course which has experienced rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Look for drizzle most of Thursday and Saturday, with it getting better over the weekend.  Still the course will play soft and the players will be able to attack the greens.