1. The Open de France was first staged in 1906.  It is the oldest national open in Continental Europe and has been part of the European Tour’s schedule since the tour’s inception in 1972. The 100th edition of the event was held in 2016.

2. The FedEx Open de France makes its return to the storied Le Golf National this week after a year absence due to extensive work undertaken to the long‑time DP World Tour venue.

3. Originally played at La Boulie, the tournament has been hosted by many different venues, but since 1991, it has been held at the Le Golf National on the outskirts of Versaille every year except for 1999 and 2001.

4. The course is hosting the championship for a 31st occasion – including an unbroken run from 2002 to 2024 – underwent significant changes linked to the expansion of Paris’ Metro Line 18, a major infrastructure project that will eventually place a station just 300 metres from the clubhouse. The redesign focused on holes four, five and six of the Albatros, where architect Russell Talley introduced new movement, elevation and strategic nuance: the fourth now shifts left around a protective mound with a raised green; the fifth becomes a dogleg right to a relocated, elevated green offering wide views; and the sixth features a split fairway, additional bunkering and a narrow, high green.

Changes evident to the host Le National course to allow for necessary rail extension worl. Image DP World Tour

5. The changes have seen the addition of 17 bunkers, while greenkeeping teams also refined greens on holes one, two, nine and 18, reshaped lake edges, and built new tee boxes to ensure the course can seamlessly pivot between hosting elite tournaments and welcoming everyday golfers.

6. France hero Aubrey Boomer has captured the most Open de France titles – 5 (1921, 1922, 1926, 1929 and 1931.  Boomer played in the first Ryder Cup’s.  In the 1927 Open Championship held at the Old Course at St Andrews Boomer finished joint second to amateur Bobby Jones who successfully defended the title with a six-stroke victory, the second of his three victories at the Open Championship. Boomer and Fred Robson tied for second place, six shots back.

7.  Seve Ballesteros is the second most winner of the Open de France titles with four victories – 1977, 1982, 1995 and 1996. He was runner-up in 1978.

The great Seve Ballesteros on route to one of his four Open de France victories. Image DPWT

8. The year 1972 marked the birth of the DP World Tour  as we know it today, and the French Open was naturally part of the schedule. It continued to crown great champions of the era, such as Englishman Peter Oosterhuis (1973 and 1974) and Scotsman Brian Barnes (1975). In 1977, at Le Touquet, the young Ballesteros claimed the second of his 50 European Tour victories—and the first of his four French Open titles. Seve’s win ushered in a golden era for the tournament: Dale Hayes and Bernard Gallacher followed him as champions, and then it was the turn of legends Greg Norman, Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo, and Bernhard Langer to add their names to the trophy. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, other legends—Robert Allenby, Retief Goosen, Sam Torrance, Colin Montgomerie, and José María Olazábal—also lifted the cup.

9. The 21st Century: A Prestigious Tradition Well Maintained. After a transitional period between 2002 and 2008—marked by Jean-François Remésy’s historic back-to-back wins (2004 and 2005) and the surprise 2008 victory of Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal, who had come through the qualifiers—the tournament once again saw prestigious champions take the title. A succession of winners—Germany’s Martin Kaymer (2009), Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2010), France’s Thomas Levet (2011), Germany’s Marcel Siem (2012), Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell (2013 and 2014), Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger (2015), Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (at the 2016 centenary edition), and England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Sweden’s Alex Norén (at the 2017 and 2018 Rolex Series events)—each added further luster to the French Open’s rich roll of honor. Now rescheduled for the autumn and sponsored by the American logistics and freight giant FedEx, the tournament has once again become a must-attend event.

Then European Tour rookie Pablo Larrazabal capturing a maiden Tour victory at the 20008 Open de France title. Image Getty

10. Best Open de France quote ever and at the 2008 Open de France post third round.  Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal a sizzling day three 64 to be leading by three shots at 11-under-par with a round to play.  Pablo, then aged 25, was in his rookie European Tour season and had qualified for the premier French event via a Monday qualifier. He had led also after rounds one and tw0. Colin Montgomerie ended day three signing for a 68 to be sharing second on eight-under.  Monty was asked by SKY’s Andrew Coltart his thoughts about Larrazabal leading by three. Monty responded: “Pablo who?”  Coltart responded: “Pablo Larrazabal.  The young Spaniard leading by three”. Monty came back saying:  ” Well!  Let’s just call him Pablo for the time being”.  All about the interview, including this journalist, began smiling broadly. Larrabal went onto capture the first of now nine DP World Tour titles by four shots relegating Monty to second.  Pablo’s final round of 67 even contained a mid-round double. The win helped Pablo finish in 18th on 2008 the Order of Merit, earning €960,858. This helped propel him to the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award.

• Thanks, in part, French Golf Federation.