Niall Lyons has five selections covering the Open De France this week at Le Golf National.
Open De France
Le Golf National takes a back seat this time around as we head to Saint Nom La Breteche near Paris for the Open De France.
The last venue change prior to this for this event was in 1999 so it's a much different event than usual, and unfortunately a course that we don't know an awful lot about.
It last held this event back in 1982 and the most relevant golf in the modern era will have come from the Eisenhower Trophy back in 2022 where this course co-hosted with Le Golf National.
It is a tree lined track which means recent form across the Brabazon course at the Belfry as well as Crans and the K Club could give us pointers as to who could go well this week in Paris.
Last week at Wentworth was another relevant test when it comes to this weeks venue so although we don't have a whole pile of course history to analyse, recent form will more than likely play a big part.
Open De France Tips
- 2.5pts each-way A.Saddier 25/1 (1/5 8) Betfred
- 1.5pts each-way L.Canter 45/1 (1/5 7) Ladbrokes, Coral
- 3pts WIN Min Woo Lee 22/1 SportingIndex, Spreadex
- 1.25pts each-way M.Couvra 55/1 (1/5 6) Skybet, Paddypower
- 1pt each-way A.Meronk 100/1 (1/5 7) Ladbrokes, Coral
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Adrien Saddier at 25/1 (Eight Places)
I believe we have to chance Adrien Saddier to get over the line in front of his home fans this week. He will be the hottest ticket in town following his near misses at Wentworth and the K Club and quite simply nobody else in the field is quite playing to his level right now and for that reason any prices of around 25/1 just have to be risked.
The test that presents itself in Paris looks similar to the last number of weeks and given the quality of his long game he has to have a major chance of going well once again.
3rd with his irons in Ireland, then 18th last week has been coupled with 11th and 22nd respectively off the tee and quite frankly there's barely anyone in the field hitting it as well as the Frenchman.
He is improving with the putter as the weeks progress also and he can really count himself a little unlucky not to land a career defining victory last week at Wentworth.
To match Noren all the way on Sunday was hugely impressive especially given the fact he went defensive the week previous when in contention in Ireland.
He clearly learned quickly from that episode and given the strength of the field the last two weeks to only have four players beating him during that period means we can't turn down a stab at him at this price.
Laurie Canter at 45/1 (Seven Places)
Angel Ayora is absolutely firing of late and his long game could be a big advantage around here. He is priced accordingly though and I'll wait for a better chance to the Spaniard off the starting line.
Laurie Canter was a max of 33/1 a few weeks ago in the British Masters and with bigger available this week it looks an ounce of value.
Canter hasn't done an awful lot these last three weeks but there are plenty ahead of him in the market that have had a similar experience during that period.
Harry Hall played well last week but the joint favourite Corey Conners missed the cut. Smith and Reitan haven't pulled up many trees whilst Detry and Fox failed to deliver at Wentworth also.
Overall, given many are in similar form around this bracket I can't help but feel the field a few weeks ago at the Belfry including Fitzpatrick, Wallace, Noren, Rai and Rasmus Hojgaard was a fair bit more competitive and that Canter has a greater chance of delivering this week in Paris.
He's hitting the ball reasonably well off the tee and any improvements with his iron play could see him go close here.
Min Woo Lee at 22/1 (WIN)
I'm a little bit worried to get involved around the 4/1 mark for a top 6 finish, but I can't help but have a win only stab at Min Woo Lee given his really decent week at Wentworth.
He came with a rattle on Sunday and a bogey in the middle of the back 9 somewhat derailed his charge although ultimately he would have come up short anyway with how well Noren and Saddier played.
Min Woo should relish this task in Paris and if the course plays into the hands of those who can really rip it off the tee then he should score well.
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The Aussie as ever made great gains on and around the greens last week and the thing that makes him appealing at this price is that there is a lot of room for improvement with his long game.
With the three reachable par 5s and handful of short par 4s I'd expect his work around the greens to be even more important this week than what it was last week.
Martin Couvra at 55/1 (Six Places)
Martin Couvra bounced back last week at Wentworth and now may be the best time to ride the train.
Back in 2023 just before turning pro Couvra won back to back Amateur events in South Africa. Last February a 6th place in Cape Town was the first of three top 6 finishes in the space of four weeks.
Earlier this year a 4th place in Bahrain was followed by a 5th in Qatar. His 5th place in the Hainan Classic in late April was followed by his maiden victory in Turkey.
He was 8th in Austria before finishing 2nd in Italy next time out so the Frenchman's best efforts are usually telegraphed and now feels like the right time to chance him in his home Open.
He was 23rd off the tee last week and 17th on approach which bodes well given how streaky appears to be in his short career to date.
He's already had a win, a runner up and a further five top 8 finishes in his maiden season so I'm pleasantly surprised to see him sitting of odds at 50/1 here.
Adrian Meronk at 100/1 (Seven Places)
We backed Adrian Meronk a couple of weeks ago in Ireland at 70/1 with a much stronger field which included Rory McIlroy amongst others.
He missed the cut there, and then again last week at Wentworth but this time we see 100/1 on offer with less of a field to beat.
One may argue his efforts the last two weeks make him worthy to drift to 100/1 in this field but his second round of 69 at Wentworth, right shots better than his first may just be a sign that he shouldn't be underestimated here.
Midnite
7th and 8th in two of his last four LIV events suggests he can't be too far away even though the bulk of his work in those were done with the putter.
A second round of 69 last week suggests his long game came together a little on Friday and with the drift towards 100/1 I'm prepared to take the chance.
