Victor Dubuisson © Getty Images

The record for the number of French people entered, established in 1986 with no less than 31 representatives, was not broken this year on the occasion of the hundredth edition of the French Open, but the tricolor contingent strong of 26 units nevertheless look great, with 14 full-time European Tour members and half a dozen promising prospects successfully competing in the Challenge Tour, the second continental division. The best of our representatives were also spoiled by the draw for the starts of the first two laps, starting with Victor Dubuisson, best French in the world ranking (72nd). The Cannois will have the privilege of sharing his first two rounds with the North Irish star of the tournament, Rory McIlroy. " That's great ! I am really happy to share his part. It should be fun and I thank the organization of the tournament for bringing us together ”, he rejoices. Accompanied by the Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello, they will start from tee number 10 at 8 am Thursday morning.

For his part, Grégory Bourdy, current best French in the European ranking (23rd), will be at 13:20 p.m. at the start of the 1 in the featured part of the afternoon, in the company of the English Danny Willett, winner of the Masters last April, and Lee Westwood, former world number 1. “I am coming to this French Open with serenity, because I have just had the best start to the season of my career. My game is solid, I like this tournament a lot, and it's a course that suits me. I finished 6th once, and I hope to do better this year ”, indicates Bordeaux. In the part which will precede it, at 13:10 p.m., we will find the great hope of French golf, the young pro Romain Langasque, alongside the Austrian title holder Bernd Wiesberger and the German Martin Kaymer, double winner of Major and winner of the l 'French Open in 2009.

other French have also inherited renowned partners for these first two rounds. Raphaël Jacquelin will play with the Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal and the Italian Francesco Molinari at 7:50 am on the 10th, ten minutes before Julien Quesne, the Englishman Luke Donald and the Welshman Jamie Donaldson (also on the 10th). From the same tee, Benjamin Hébert will start at 8:30 am with the Dane Thorbjørn Olesen and the American guest Troy Merritt, and will be followed at 8:40 am by Romain Wattel, the rising star of Korean golf Jeunghun Wang and the Northern Irishman Darren Clarke, captain of the next European Ryder Cup team.

In total, 26 French people will take part in this hundredth edition of their national open, thanks to the late entry into the field of Benjamin Nicolay, first reserve after the qualifications of June 20, and Jean-Baptiste Gonnet, guest of the organizers. Most of the French players met this Wednesday morning under the triumphal arch which adjoins the start of hole number 1 for a beautiful family photo, showing both their support for the French football team - who will play their quarter-final of the Euro against Iceland on Sunday evening - and their common goal of signing the 14th French victory in the history of the French Open!

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