Tommy Fleetwood - © Getty Image

The world number 11 is the first star to confirm its return to the National Golf, which will also serve as a backdrop for the 2018 edition of the Ryder Cup, whose ticket office remains open for pre-sales until Wednesday, March 28. Fleetwood started its 2018 season with flying colors by being only the second player to register its name twice in a row at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January. At 27, he intends to make a double blow in France.

A double double is therefore in sight for the Englishman, who apparently intends to follow the example of Graeme McDowell, double winner of a major event and last player to have successfully defended his title in 2014 in the oldest continental tournament.

"My victory last year at the HNA Open in France really propelled me and brought confidence which enabled me to achieve excellent results and my best season on the European Tour," said Fleetwood. “I did not have the opportunity to defend my title at Gleneagles in 2013, but luck having rather smiled on me in Abu Dhabi at the start of the year, I hope that this bodes well for the future. "

By winning last year, Fleetwood scored its first Rolex Series title on its record; the Englishman had brilliantly brought in a last card of 66, without the slightest bogey, to secure his only victory against the American Peter Uihlein, which had helped him to finish his 2017 season in place of number 1 of European players, after winning the Race to Dubai last November.

“Everyone knows that the Rolex Series mark crucial milestones in the season; a good result at this level can make the difference, hence the importance of winning one of these tournaments. If you were given the opportunity to choose a win, you would certainly choose one of these eight events and you would be delighted. "

“At the same time, I felt that I could not lose this tournament, as I had so much confidence in my way of playing. I still think that in my whole career, my swing has never been as good as it was on this occasion. "

“While the course is not already easy, here are the four most difficult holes. It is when we have everything to lose that we can show everyone who we are and what we are made of. I am very proud of my shots on the return course, including my two putts on the last hole, which I made when I needed it. "

Fleetwood, which also received the Seve Ballesteros "Player of the Year" award from the European Tour Players, would also like to take the opportunity to consolidate its place on the European team of Thomas Bjørn, in the perspective of the 2018 Ryder Cup, since the French Open allocates additional qualification points for this biennial competition.

“When you have the opportunity to be part of the Ryder Cup team, you know that you can't take your foot off the game, and no matter how many good results you have, nothing is ever for granted. place in the team is never guaranteed. This shows the level of quality of the European Tour and European golf so far. "

Tickets for the four days of the HNA Open de France are available in advance, here. Discounts are offered to young people aged 16 to 21, to people aged 65 and over and to FFGolf licensees. Entrance is free for children under the age of 16 provided that they are accompanied by an adult in possession of a ticket. A maximum of three children under the age of 16 per adult is allowed.