One of the DP World Tour's most historic events will take place in Paris this week as Le Golf National plays host to the Open de France.
First staged in 1906, this is the 106th edition of the tournament and the 30th to be staged at this venue, which lies on the outskirts of Paris.
Le Golf National, a tight, water-laden layout which demands tee-to-green precision, has also hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup, won by Thomas Bjorn's European team, and both the men's and women's Olympics competitions which took place in August.
Scottie Scheffler won Olympic gold two months ago and while there is no-one of the world no.1's status in this week's field, it's still a high-class DP World Tour gathering headlined by dual BMW PGA Championship winner Billy Horschel.
- THORBJORN OLESEN TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
- FREDERIC LACROIX TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
- TOM VAILLANT TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
Olesen Poised For Good Weekend
Thorbjorn Olesen finished 12th in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday and won the pro-am team competition alongside Irish businessman Dermot Desmond and that outing in Scotland should have him in fine fettle for this trip to Paris.
Le Golf National represents a different test but it's one which Olesen has often relished – he was runner-up behind Frenchman Thomas Levet on his course debut in 2011, third in 2017 and tenth last season.
The Dane also represented Denmark at the Olympics, finishing 14th, and he was an emphatic 5&4 winner against Jordan Spieth in Sunday singles at the 2018 Ryder Cup.
While he's not renowned for his accurate driving, there is something about this course which suits Olesen's eye and all signs point to another bold effort this week.
THORBJORN OLESEN TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
Lacroix To Delight Parisian Crowd
The French challenge is a strong one this week and two home hopefuls catch the eye, starting with Frederic Lacroix.
The 29-year-old was born in Paris, he knows Le Golf National well and while he has yet to put that knowledge to good use in two Open de France starts, he's playing better than ever, rising to a career-high 135th in the world after his maiden DPWT victory in Denmark in August.
Lacroix is both long and straight off the tee, which should serve him in good stead this week.
FREDERIC LACROIX TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
Vaillant To Relish Test
Another Frenchman can outrun his odds in the shape of in-form Tom Vaillant, who finished 18th at the Open de Espana a fortnight ago and seventh in the Dunhill Links last weekend.
Vaillant, an accurate driver who is well suited to the demands of Le Golf National, made the cut in this event in 2022 when he was ranked outside the world's top 500 and competing on the low-grade Alps Tour.
The 22-year-old is starting to establish himself on Europe's top circuit and he could make an impact this week at a course where he finished seventh in the individual portion of the 2022 World Amateur Team Championship.
TOM VAILLANT TO WIN AND EACH-WAY
