TOMMY FLEETWOOD’S
GUIDE TO THE HOLES WHERE CUP WILL BE WON AND LOST
TOMMY FLEETWOOD won the 2017 French Open over the Ryder Cup course following a brilliant final-round 66. His playing partner that day, Bradley Dredge, described it as a ‘privilege to watch.’ Here, the 27-year-old Fleetwood highlights what it takes to win at Le Golf National and describes his three favourite holes. ‘It’s such a demanding course and it is not easy to make birdies,’ he says. ‘There are chances out there, such as when you get past the first couple of holes, you’ve got opportunities at 3, 4, 5 and 6. But they don’t come easy, and big numbers are out there if you’re not playing well. ‘I’m interested to see how the fourballs go, because normally that format is something of a birdie-fest. I’d be surprised if it’s quite so spectacular this time. ‘One thing I am sure of is that come the foursomes and singles, you’ll see plenty of holes won with pars.’
HOLE 3 LE MERANTAIS
I love the fact this par five comes after such a tough opening pair of holes. It’s such a good birdie or even an eagle chance, but equally you’re one bad tee shot away from running up a bogey. This is definitely a hole where you’re going to hear plenty of roars this week.
HOLE 13 L’ILE AUX CHENES
Again, this is a hole where I’ve run up my fair share of high figures over the years, but in 2017 in the final round I got a birdie, which came at a crucial stage. This hole falls at a point in the round where if you win it you’ve got momentum heading into the home straight. Like so many holes here, the tee shot dictates everything. Get a good one away and you’ve set up a short iron to the green and a birdie chance. But again, a stray one and you’re looking at a bogey.
HOLE 18 LA FOULE
I’ve had a tough time on that hole but I don’t think I’m alone in that! I don’t think I’ve ever birdied it and I’ve had a few double bogeys. It’s just such a great hole with a demanding tee shot, where you definitely have to stay clear of the water on the left but also avoid the fairway bunkers on the right. Even then, you’ve still got a difficult approach shot. It’s the perfect finishing hole. We’ve seen that every year at the French Open and we’ll see it again this week at the Ryder Cup.