Tommy Fleetwood is aiming for an exceptional double at the 2018 edition of the HNA Open de France, the third stage of the Rolex Series this season, even if the field awaiting the champion of the Race to Dubai at the Golf National will be overwhelming. readings.

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Fleetwood won the title last year, confirming an impressive start to the 2017 season, marked by a victory at the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi and his best ranking in a major tournament at the US Open. This week, the Englishman finds himself in the same situation, having retained his title in Abu Dhabi last January and finished second in Shinnecock Hills earlier this month.

A new victory at Golf National, after his second victory in Abu Dhabi, would crown an exceptional double-double of Fleetwood and would make him the first player to keep the prestigious title of the HNA Open de France since Graeme McDowell in 2014.

The world number 10 will make his first two rounds alongside the American Justin Thomas - world number two - while the Spaniard Jon Rahm, number five in the world rankings, returns for the second year in a row to the Golf National, where the next September the Ryder Cup opposing Europe to the United States.

Another Spaniard, Sergio Garcia, will make his debut in the tournament like Thomas. European coach Thomas Bjorn will follow very closely the players eager to be part of the twelve elected, including Tyrrell Hatton and Alex Noren, who for the moment are automatically qualified like Fleetwood and Rahm, but also a number of other contenders, like Thorbjørn Olesen, Matt Fitzpatrick, Ian Poulter and local favorite, Alex Lévy.

Tommy fleetwood

“I am delighted to come back to where I have so many fond memories. We can go back to the beautiful heats we contested when they end in a victory. "

“The course looks so different. It has been reconfigured for the Ryder Cup. So there are a lot of moves to review. But hey, coming back here and remembering what we did on a Sunday or one of the other days, we simply enjoy hitting the ball, even in training. "

“Last year this tournament fell when I was in the shape of my life. I still ranked well afterwards and obviously had a wonderful season after my victories at the start of the year. Winning the title at the French Open, one of the biggest tournaments of the season, was huge… and with style as a bonus. I stayed in the lead all week and on Sunday I led from start to finish; I was very confident. It propelled me to the top of the Race to Dubai standings; So I had a crazy week here when I missed the title five times. "

Justin Thomas

“Taking part in the French Open is a great experience. There are obviously other perspectives, like the Ryder Cup this fall, but everything worked out perfectly in the schedule so that I could come here and I absolutely wanted to.

“I wanted to be able to face an exceptional course, and that will apparently be the case. It's a complicated course this week, especially in the Rolex Series. It is an important event of the European Tour, and I say it and repeat it, I have the happiness and the chance to be part of this celebration. I feel like I'm going to have fun this week. "

Sergio Garcia

“I can't wait to play here and can't wait to take on a golf course known to be difficult. And what will happen later in the year obviously only makes this week more exhilarating. "

“The course is in very good condition. The greens are a bit soft at the moment. They weren't too fast yesterday. But the course looks great. He's a little intimidating when you see him from the tee with those tall fescues, but everyone has to kick the ball and hope to send it as straight as possible. Quite a challenge, I guess. "

Jon Rahm

“It is without doubt one of my favorite courses of the year, not just on the European Tour, but in the world. From the first to the last shot, it's hard, it's beautiful and it doesn't take long. Pure beauty. It is one of the courses that I enjoy the most. It is not enough to get to the teeing ground and hit as hard as possible with your driver. In fact, you have to think about it. You have to play good moves and you have to play just about every move you can imagine. So yeah, it's a great week, a great place, a great event and a great city. No matter how much I think, I can't think of anything better. "

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