Luckily Francesco Molinari and Jon Rahm are there to give prestige to the French Open, which begins today and ends on Sunday. It is one of the most important races on the European circuit and is the second of eight rounds of the Rolex Series, a mini tour of excellence in the continental championship, which stands out above all for the level of prize money: seven million dollars. The Italian Open, in October, will put the same on the plate to keep the agreements on the Ryder Cup 2022. However, the results seem scarce, if, by results, we mean the ability of a competition to attract international stars.
In Guyancourt, a stone's throw from Paris, on the Le Golf National course, one of the most prestigious in France, the one that will host the 2018 Ryder Cup, in fact, all the big names are missing. It could be argued that, in the post-Tiger Woods era, there are no real stars in golf anymore. There are many good players, even champions, but the star, the Ace takes it all, is no longer there. However, it is sad to observe that European players of great caliber, who play permanently on the American tour, such as Rory McIlroy or Sergio Garcia, millionaire gentlemen with major trophies in their bulletin board, snub occasions like this. Let alone the Americans: Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas prefer Quicken Loans National, at home, while world number Dustin Johnson rests.
Moral, the French Open has a good field, but not a special one. There are five Italians on the track and the blue golf will be able to be appreciated, we hope also by the television cameras. In the foreground is Francesco Molinari, number 19 in the world. With him his brother Edoardo Molinari, this year's winner in Morocco, Renato Paratore, who prevailed in Sweden, Matteo Manassero, and Nino Bertasio. The star of the competition is the 22-year-old Spaniard Jon Rahm, a professional for just over a season and already number 11 in the world, after a title in the USA and a series of excellent placements in important events. It is his first appearance on the Euroep tour, of which he is a member.
Among the participants, the Dane Thomas Bjorn also stands out, captain of the Ryder team, who will be able to evaluate the players and the track, in view of the next match against the USA. To Watch Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Russell Knox, Alex Noren, Martin Kaymer, Tyrrell Hatton, Danny Willett, Tommy Fleetwood, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Thomas Pieters, Pablo Larrazabal, Bernd Wiesberge. Defends Thongchai Jaidee title.
