This week’s action on the European Tour is the Alstom Open de France, which is the oldest national open in Continental Europe. The tournament gets under way on Thursday 5^th July, with the fourth and final round taking place Sunday July 8^th.

The Open de France has been part of the European Tour’s schedule since its inception in 1972 and was originally held at the La Boulie Golf Club. Arguably one of the best events on the European Tour calendar, the Open de France boasts a prize fund of €3,000,000 and always attracts a top class field of professionals.

Le Golf National plays host to this week’s tournament and has staged the Open de France every year since 1991 apart from twice, in 1999 and 2001.

The Le Golf National has a par score of 71 and stands at 7,300 yards in length. It is located in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Paris, France and has been chosen to host the 2018 Ryder Cup. Frenchman Thomas Levet is the defending champion here after posting a four round total of 277 in 2011.

Levet’s -7 score was enough to see off Mark Foster and Thorbjørn Olesen and secure a victory in front of his home fans. That was Levet’s sixth win on the European Tour and he could well be involved again this week. Betfred make the defending champion a 200/1 chance to claim back to back Open de France titles.

Lee Westwood heads the betting at 7/1. He’s arguably the most in form player in the world at the moment and looks more than capable of regaining the world number one spot before too long.

This is however the strongest field ever to take part in the tournament and the value may just lie elsewhere. I like the chances of two players, Martin Kaymer at 16/1, and Simon Dyson at 45/1. Kaymer is a previous winner of this event having beaten Westwood in a playoff in 2009 and also finished fourth here last year.

The German looks a solid bet at 16′s. Dyson has shown some solid form in recent weeks and followed a good performance at the US Open by finishing in 12^th place at the BMW then 10^th in Ireland last week. He’s over priced at 45/1.

 

Back Martin Kaymer each way @ 16/1 with Betfred

Back Simon Dyson each way @ 45/1 with Betfred

 

Open de France Betting (Prices from Betfred)

Westwood, Lee 7/1

Rose, Justin 16/1

Kaymer, Martin 16/1

Molinari, Francesco 16/1

Hanson, Peter 20/1

McDowell, Graeme 20/1

Poulter, Ian 30/1

Stenson, Henrik 35/1

Colsaerts, Nicolas 35/1

Olesen, Thorbjorn 40/1

Cabrera-Bello, Rafa 40/1

Dyson, Simon 45/1

Goosen, Retief 45/1

Donaldson, Jamie 50/1

Foster, Mark 50/1

Manassero, Matteo 60/1

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