Graeme McDowell looks set to end his recent poor form after shooting a two under par 69 on  the opening day of the French Open on the outskirts of Versailles.

Dane Anders Hansen leads the way posting a five under par 66 on a toughened Le National course set to host the 2018 Ryder Cup.

McDowell arrived in France under pressure after having missed the cut in last two events – the US Open and last week’s Irish Open.

The current World No. 9 joined Ireland’s three fellow Major Champions in crashing out of Carton House with scores of 71 and 74.

Michael Hoey on route to a 69 on day one of the French Open. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)

It was the first occasion in four years McDowell has missed the cut in back-to-back European Tour events but then you have to go back a further six years, and

McDowell’s second full season on Tour for the only time in his career he’s missed out in three events in succession.

However McDowell sought to squash that statistic with six straight pars before the first on just three birdies at the seventh and then at the ninth and 12^th holes with his only bogey at the 11^th.

What was pleasing for the former US Open champion is that McDowell hit all but three fairways in regulation on the 2018 Ryder Cup host venue, and one of the toughest courses on this season’s Race to Dubai schedule.

Sharing 12^th place with McDowell is fellow Ulsterman Michael Hoey.

Hoey birdied his opening two holes and while he bogeyed the fourth he then steadied before sandwiching a 16^th hole bogey in between birdies at 15 and 17.

“I got off to a perfect start with birdies at the first two holes but then didn’t really capitalise on the next that was a par five,” he said in signing also for a 69.

“I three-putted the 16^th for bogey but bounced back with a good birdie on 17 and then played two really good shots on the 18^th and I was glad to see dry land.

“I shot six under par a few years ago to finish top-10 but this is arguably one of the toughest courses we play.

“But I’ve just had four weeks off what with Bev (wife) having a baby so last week’s Irish Open was the first event back.

“I’m enjoying fatherhood and already I feel a bit more chilled out and it proves that there is more to life than just playing golf”

Damien McGrane was one back with a round of  70 that included losing a ball in taking a double bogey at the 10^th hole, and in a round that included four birdies and a bogey on 12.

“It was a reasonable day and there was a lot of good things out there despite losing a ball at the 10^th with an 8-iron,” he said.

“I hit plenty of fairways but if you are off-line it is very penal and if you do stray you try and make it with the putter and that’s what I did today.

“My golf has been reasonable this year and I’m just waiting for a good week.”