Guide to the HNA Open de France

Can Alex Noren continue his winning streak? Nigel French/PA Wire

What is it?
Established back in 1906, the Open de France is one of the oldest national Opens in Europe and still attracts some of the best golfers in the world today.

Originally held in La Boulie, the first championship was won by the great Arnaud Massy – the only Frenchman to win a Major.

While it has changed venues over the years, it has retained one thing – a fondness for home-grown winners. Marcel Dallemagne won for three consecutive years between 1936 and 1938, while in more recent years local winners have included Thomas Levet (2011), Jean-François Remésy (2004 and 2005) and Jean Garaïalde (1969).

The person to win most French Opens might not have been French, but he was as close as Brits get to their Gaelic cousins. Aubrey Boomer was born and lived in Jersey and won the Open de France five times (1921, 1922, 1926, 1929 and 1931).

Recent big name winners include Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Bernd Wiesberger and Graeme McDowell, while Seve Ballesteros is joint record holder for both 18- and 72-holes. These days it has a prize fund of $7 million.

Where is it?
The first Open de France was hosted in La Boulie, but moved around over the decades. In 1991, it moved to Le Golf National near Paris. It’s been held here every year since then, bar two – 1999 and 2001.

Glenmuir-partner Le Golf National will be a Ryder Cup host venue in 2018, and is one of the best golf courses in France. A relatively new course, it was opened in 1990 as a permanent site for the Open.

The course was built on a completely flat plain, in a bid to make it more tournament-friendly. It’s one of the toughest courses in France and an ideal venue for major competitions.
  

What to expect
The big story is whether Sweden’s star Alex Noren can win again at the Open de France, after his victory at the BMW PGA Championship. He managed this previous win with an impressive 10-under par final round at Wentworth Club.

Meanwhile, he’ll be facing stiff competition from past Major wins Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell. Both have confirmed they’ll be taking part in the HNA Open de France. McDowell will be looking to make it his third victory in the competition.

As for home grown talents, there will be five of France’s leading golfers taking part – Alexander Levy, Victor Dubuisson, Grégory Havret, Raphaël Jacquelin, and Romain Langasque.