BlogFrench Open Preview and Picks

The Buzz:

So the French Open returns onto the DP World Tour schedule after not being played the last two years due to COVID-19  The last time it was played was just before the 2019 Ryder Cup that was won by the European Tour.  The field is a bit disappointing, thought that we would get more LIV Golf players than just Patrick Reed.  Next week in Scotland, a lot of LIV golfers are in the field.  Frankly, I haven’t heard many rave reviews on this course, probably one of the reasons for the weak field.

Course information:

• Le Golf National
• Versailles, France
• 7,245 yards     Par 36-35–71

Le Golf National’s Albatros course will host the tournament for the 28th time, though having undergone extensive remodeling in 2017 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 will be the way it was when it hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup.

DraftKings tips

*Here are the guys that cost the most on DraftKings this week:

• Patrick Reed – $10,700
• Victor Perez – $10,500
• Thomas Pieters – $10,300
• Jordan Smith – $10,000
• Robert MacIntyre – $9,900
• Antoine Rozner – $9,600
• Rasmus Hojgaard – $9,500
• Ryan Fox – $9,400
• Adrian Meronk – $9,300
• Adrian Otaegui – $9,100
• Andy Sullivan – $9,000

This is a free-for-all this week since the field is so weak.  Have to say picking one of the above is a risky proposition and one that needs a lot of studying.  One perfect example of a player you don’t want to take is Patrick Reed at $10,700.  He has never played in the French Open, the only reason he is at this event is he needs World Ranking points, presently he is 50th in the rankings and needs to maintain that position to play in the majors since his Masters exemption has run out for the other three majors.  Did play at Le Golf National in the 2018 Ryder Cup, losing his two team matches paired with Tiger Woods and then beating Tyrrell Hatton in the singles.  Still, his play hasn’t been that great, but he shot a final round 63 to finish T-5th at the BMW PGA Championship.  His four LIV Golf starts were 3rd at Portland, 5th at Bedminster, 33rd at Boston, and T-12th at Chicago.  Reed will make the cut, but I doubt he will get into the top five, which will help make him worth the cost.  So pass on him.  Victor Perez at $10,500 could possibly be worth a look.  He was T-16th in this event in 2019, and we like that he was 3rd at the Italian Open last week.  Still, his price tag is very dear and just don’t think he is worth the cost.  The same with Thomas Pieters at $10,300, in six French Open starts, his best finish is T-13th.  Even though he was 2nd at the BMW International in June and T-8th at the Czech Masters don’t think he will return a high enough finish to make him worth the cost.  Jordan Smith at $10,000 is again too high for what he will produce, in three French Open starts, his best finish is T-21st.  His play over the summer is very inconsistent, missed cut in Wales, T-7th in Northern Ireland, missed cut at the BMW PGA, and T-12th last week in Italy.  Robert MacIntyre, at $9,900, has no track record at the French Open, and yes, he won last week in Italian, so he is playing well but can he carry it over to this week, don’t think so.  Same with Antoine Rozner at $9,600, he has never played at the French Open and has been consistent in his last four starts, including a T-4th in Switzerland, but I am not going to risk the money on him.  The same thing with Rasmus Hojgaard at $9,500, has never played in this event and has not been in the top 15 since finishing T-10th at the Scottish Open.  Now I can see a possible pick with Ryan Fox at $9,400.  In three starts in the French Open has made the cut and was 6th in 2017.  He played well at the summer’s start but struggled in his last two starts.  The course suits his game, so I can see picking him.  Adrian Meronk at $9,300 is a no for me, never played in this event and has struggled since winning the Irish Open in July.  Adrian Otaegui at $9,100, has played a lot in the French Open, and despite a T-7th in 2017 and T-12th in 2018, he has been very consistent over the summer with a T-3rd at the Hero Open.  Like that, in his last 17 starts has only missed one cut.  Andy Sullivan at $9,000 is my first solid yes, he was T-6th at the French Open in 2015 and T-5th in 2016.  Has been consistent at Le Golf National and over the summer, including a T-3rd in Wales.

*Players in that $7,500 to $8,800 price range, which ones are worth the money?:

I like Alexander Bjork at $8,900 in two French Open starts were T-8th in 2018 and T-3rd in 2017.  He also has had a consistent summer with three top-20 finishes in his last five starts.  Thorbjorn Olesen at $8,800 is also worth the dive, yes been up and down in his seven French Open starts but was T-3rd in 2017 and T-2nd in 2011.  He was T-16th last week in Italy and won the British Masters in May.  Also, watch Jorge Campillo at $8,500, in his last French Open start was T-8th in 2018 and was T-4th in Switzerland and T-9th last week in Italy.  Watch Richie Ramsey at $8,300, he was T-5th twice in the French Open, the last time in 2019.  He won the Cazoo Classic in July and has done ok since.  Ewen Ferguson, at $8,200, is worth the pick, playing for the first time in the French Open but has had a great summer, including a win in Northern Ireland and 2nd in the Made in Himmerland.  Also, watch Marcus Kinhult at $7,700 he was T-11th at the French Open in 2019 and T-5th in 2018

Any bargains out there?

This week it’s hard to find any bargains.  I am looking for someone who can make a lot of birdies and make the cut.  Gavin Green at $7,300 makes a lot of birdies and cuts, so he is worth the choice.  Like James Morrison at $7,300, he has made a lot of cuts and finished in the middle of the pack, he was 2nd at the French Open in 2015.  Maximilian Kieffer at $7,200 is a steal, he won just a few weeks back at the Czech Masters and does make a lot of cuts.  Jack Senior at $7,100 is playing in the French Open for the first time but has been very consistent over the summer, making his last seven cuts.  Soren Kjeldsen at $7,000 is your best bet in this price range, has played 20 times in this event, making 16 cuts with three top-tens.  Like the good summer he has had, including a T-5th at the BMW PGA.  Also, take a chance on Lukas Nemecz at $6,900, he has made 15 of 21 cuts and has been good since the Porsche European Open.

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

The key stat for the winner:

• The Albatross course was built on flat farmland and manages to combine 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, 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 14 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 overpowered the course, so looking for accuracy over length.
• Water hazards come into play on 8 holes, and the wind is often a factor on this relatively flat course.
• Weather looks like it will be a factor with showers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with temperatures in the mid-60s.