Rory McIlroy to play French Open over WGC-Bridgestone

The World Number Three has given a massive boost to the European Tour

Rory McIlroy
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy has announced he will play the French Open at Le Golf National in a boost for the European Tour

Rory McIlroy will play in the French Open in Paris this summer instead of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Both events take place from 30th June - 3rd July.

The 100th French Open takes place two weeks before The Open at Troon and McIlroy believes Le Golf National will be better preparation than the typical American layout of Firestone CC, where the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is held.

Initially it seems a strange decision, considering McIlroy won the WGC-Bridgestone in 2014, however the tournament usually sits in the first week of August before the USPGA Championship.

It has been changed because of scheduling issues surrounding the Olympic Games in Rio and is now no longer sanctioned as a European Tour event like before.

This means money won at the WGC-Bridgestone will not count towards the Race to Dubai or the European Ryder Cup points list.

Rory McIlroy wins WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

Rory McIlroy wins WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

The world number three didn't meet his full quota of European Tour events last year and was let into the finals series despite this, where he went on to win the Race to Dubai for the third time with victory at the DP World Tour Championship.

Perhaps his decision to commit to the French Open is also a thank you to the European Tour for allowing him to play the tour finals last year.

"Le Golf National might not be a pure links course, but it is traditionally firm and fast and can throw up some tricky conditions," said McIlroy.

"It is a great test of golf and I think playing there, as well as staying in Europe, will be the best way to prepare for The Open at Troon."

The Northern Irishman has played the French Open twice, missing the cut in '08 during his maiden season as a pro and finishing T4th in 2010, one shy of a play-off.

Rory McIlroy won The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in 2014.

 

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV