A course we know very well by now. Hosted the Open de France and was also in charge of the Ryder Cup 2018. Alexander Noren has been cheered here twice, partly as an individual winner - but was also part of the European RC team that triumphed.
This time, I think another Swede can celebrate.
Talk of a slump in form, but come on...that's just rubbish! Went out in the lead ball during the final lap in Scotland - as the sole leader - but did not get the game fully right and fell back. That final spurt probably took a bit of effort, both physically and mentally, because it was an unusually sloppy Ludvig we saw during The Open. But you also have to consider the conditions - and look at all the other top names who missed the qualifying cut-off. From Thursday, the weather should be better in Paris and I hope Ludvig can have a shiny gold medal around his neck in a few days!
Shane Lowry was in the winning hole for a long time at The Open, but it all came crashing down on moving day, in the pot bunker on the fabled eighth hole. After that, it was all a battle of wits, weather and wind - and short putts, right on the line. Lowry has a good psyche and usually bounces back immediately.
From Belgium, but grew up relatively close to Paris and has been there and tasted the Golf National several times over. Often with very good results. Difficult to find other courses/competitions to draw correlations with, but several players who have done well at Celtic Manor - have also achieved good results at Albatros GC.There we can also call in Detry (a 12th place and a second place there). He is also, since his youth, used to representing his country. After all, it is a special task for a golfer. Can get rowdy on the greens and that is always a key.
Phachara Khongwatmai. The bloke with the impossible name. Broke through very early. Won a professional tournament at the age of 14. Never has any nerves and used to seeing his name high up on the leaderboards. Might need to sharpen up his tactics/gameplan - you don't need to fly all the flags. But for those of us who want to find value in the First Round Leader market, just say thank you and take it. It can be a bumpy ride, especially on a course with a lot of water (like this week), but if Phachara finds his rhythm quickly, he has all the tools to shoot a low score in the first round.
