The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Thomas wants to win before Cup scouting
World No2 dismisses Ryder course check at Le Golf National
World No2 Justin Thomas insists he is at the French Open to win the tournament – not scout Le Golf National for the USA Ryder Cup team in September.
The US PGA champion said his first appearance at the event in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, just outside Paris, was for personal and team gain.
“It obviously has some additional intent to it with the Ryder Cup, but it just worked out in the schedule for me to come here,” the American said.
“I wanted to play against a great field and it looks like we’re going to.
“It’s an opportunity for world rankings points and there are so many positives – an opportunity to come to Paris, visit Versailles and I didn’t want to take three weeks off before a major.
“It’s a big deal on the European Tour and I’m happy you are letting me come over here and crash the party.
“It would mean more to me winning a European Tour event. It’s something I’ve never done.”
Regarding the Ryder Cup, he said: “It would help deep inside of me, but it is so far away and will be playing so different.
“It would be a tremendous honour just to win the tournament alone.”
Thomas revealed a number of his likely Ryder Cup team-mates will play the course next month when they make the trans-Atlantic journey for The Open
It obviously has some additional intent to it with the Ryder Cup, but it just worked out in the schedule for me to come here
at Carnoustie but he will not be joining them in France.
“I felt coming here and getting hopefully four competitive rounds and some practice rounds would be plenty for me,” added the 25-year-old, who has already done his sightseeing in Paris.
Fortunately, he avoiding the mistake compatriot Bubba Watson made in 2011 when he referred to “that big tower” (Eiffel Tower), an “arch I drove around in a circle” (Arc de Triomphe) and “a building starting with L” (the Louvre).
“For me The Open is a major which I prep my schedule around all year so I want to be rested for that,” said Thomas.
“I will take a week off. I need to get my body and mind ready for The Open Championship.”
Thomas will play the first two rounds of the French Open with defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and home favourite Alexander Levy.
Fleetwood, who struggled at last week’s BMW International Open off the back of his US Open runner-up finish, expected to see more American Ryder Cup hopefuls this week.
“I am a little bit surprised there is only him here. I’d have expected a couple more,” said the Southport golfer, who has fond memories of his one-shot victory which helped him triumph in the season-ending Race to Dubai.
“This event came last year when I was pretty much in the form of my life. It solidified a lot of hard work and a lot of good golf. My energy levels are better than last week. It’s nice to come back with such good memories.”
Connor Syme and Bradley Neil are both in the field and are joined by fellow Scots Russell Knox, Stephen Gallacher, Marc Warren, Richie Ramsay, David Drysdale and Scott Jamieson.