This week’s golf is dominated by the Open de France at the Le Golf National, with some of Europe’s best players returning to the home of the 2018 Ryder Cup in the hope of lifting the trophy on Sunday. The likes of Lee Westwood, Thomas Pieters, Danny Willett and Andy Sullivan are among the most fancied players at Europe’s oldest national open, with many of the major bookmakers offering odds on the outright winner of the tournament. With a significant prize fund of $7 million, along with a whole host of world ranking points up for grabs, motivation will certainly be high among the game’s leading names.
Main Contenders
Despite not yet being a household name among golf fans, Jon Rahm is certainly a name to look out for this weekend. Making his long-awaited debut on European soil, the Spaniard is looking to make a name for himself as he bids to make Thomas Bjorn’s European Ryder Cup team for 2018. Already ranked 11th in the world rankings at the age of just 22, Rahm is one of the most exciting talents since Rory McIlroy, and will be looking to find his form ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Meanwhile, Alex Noren is hunting for back-to-back victories in the Rolex Series, with the Swede having won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth a matter of weeks ago. Having already won five European Tour events, Noren’s consistency makes him a tough man to write off. Elsewhere, Graeme McDowell returns to France looking to rediscover his confidence on the course. Despite playing most of his golf on the PGA Tour, as well as registering nine top-30 finishes from 13 starts, the Northern Irishman has not looked like winning to date.
As far as home favourites are concerned, 2011 champion Thomas Levet is looking to roll back the years and claim another title at the age of 48. Levet would be the first French winner since Jean-Francois Remesy back in 2005. A win for compatriot Alexander Levy is perhaps more likely, with the 26-year-old having won the China Open earlier this year. Elsewhere, Tommy Fleetwood, Martin Kaymer and Francesco Molinari are expected to be in the mix come Sunday afternoon.
Top Betting Tips
With the majority of bookmakers offering odds only on the outright winner of the competition, some of the most appealing can be found at Ladbrokes. Spaniard Rahm is the 11/1 favourite, with the likes of Molinari, Fleetwood and Noren not far behind on 16/1, 22/1 and 25/1 respectively. For those looking for an outsider to back for the Open de France, British trio Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Andy Sullivan are backed at 35/1, 40/1 and 50/1 by Betway.