Photo: Alexis Orloff / ffgolf

The European Tour and the French Golf Federation open a new chapter in the history of the French Golf Open, with the arrival of a new title partner, the Chinese group HNA.
The five-year contract signed between this multinational Fortune 500, specializing in the tourism, logistics and financial services sectors, and the oldest open event in continental Europe, will start in 2017.

The Chinese group HNA is not unknown in the world of golf. At the beginning of October, this conglomerate, which has made a fortune in around twenty years around its aviation company, bought for more than 137 million dollars a dozen golf courses around Seattle (USA). The interest of the Chinese is directly linked to the position that France occupies today on the world golf chessboard, with the organization of the next edition of the Ryder Cup, scheduled at the National Golf in September 2018. A competition to the exceptional audience (750 million viewers) which allows French golf to boast of being at the center of all the interests of its sport for the next two years (source Figaro Golf).

The ASO group, until now co-organizer, is no longer at the helm of the new organization, which will be provided in association by the European Tour and the French Golf Federation. A new tournament director, replacing Jean Van de Velde, will be appointed shortly.

The HNA Open de France also integrates the recently created Rolex Series circuit, with its eight tournaments representing the pinnacle of events on the European Tour calendar. The Prize-money reaching records with 7 million dollars, should ensure a very high plateau and seduce a good number of renowned players across the Atlantic. The English Matthew Fitzpatrick, the Irish Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry as well as Alexander Levy were already present this Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the official announcement.

Rory McIlroy hole n ° 1- 100th French Open - Photo TPlassais / swing-feminin.com

This event will be immediately followed, on the European Tour calendar, by the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open organized by the Rory Foundation, then by the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. Three consecutive weeks of Rolex Series tournaments which will be an ideal preparation for The Open Championship.

Keith Pelley, Executive Director of the European Tour, said: “We are delighted to announce the conclusion of this exciting partnership with the HNA group, which opens a new era in the very rich history of the French Open. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the HNA group for their vision and their commitment, not only for the French Open but for the European Tour as a whole. We are also very grateful for the unfailing commitment of the French Golf Federation in this event which celebrated its 100th edition last year. The announcement of the entry of the HNA Open de France among the Rolex Series is all the more important for French golf as it prepares to host the Ryder Cup in 2018. ”

Chen Wen Li, vice president of the HNA group, said: “The commitment we are making today with the European Tour opens a new era for this century-old competition and allows us to promote the HNA group as a world leader in the travel and tourism sector to the large audience associated with this prestigious event. We look forward to welcoming fans to France, a country that is one of the greatest destinations in the world. This partnership constitutes a win-win project for HNA and the European Tour. "

Thongchai Jaidee winner of the 100th French Open and Jean Lou Charon Pdt of ffgolf - photo TPlassais / swingfeminin.com

Played for the first time in 1906, the French Open became in July the seventh national open to celebrate its hundredth edition. It's thai Thongchai Jaidee who imposed himself before Francesco Molinari et Rory McIlroy, thus winning his eighth title on the European Tour. The event, which could not take place between 1915 and 1919, then between 1940 and 1945, due to the First and the Second World War, has been on the European Tour calendar since its creation in 1972. Its list of achievements includes game legends like Severiano ballesteros, Greg Norman, Sandy lyle, Nick faldo, Bernhard Longer, Retief Goosen, José María Olazábal, Martin kaymer et Graeme McDowell.

Jean Lou Charon, president of the French Golf Federation, said : “As the oldest open event in continental Europe, the French Open, which had its 100th edition in 2016, is one of the most emblematic competitions in French sport and world golf. We remain as determined as ever to preserve its special status within French sport and we will ensure that it continues to play its role in promoting the game nationwide. I would like to thank the whole team ofAmaury Sport Organization(ASO) for the efficient work she did to consolidate the event. The arrival of the HNA group alongside the ffgolf and the European Tour allows us to take it into a new dimension. It is also a reward for the work done by the federal teams to make it a world level event. For French golf, as for our great champions, I am delighted with this major development which will allow our Golf National, site of the next Ryder Cup, to continue to welcome the best players in the world within the framework of a prestigious competition. "