Simon Thornton
Fresh from his trip to the US Open and his engagement in Pebble Beach, Gareth Maybin returns to golfing action at the Alstom Open de France this week and will be joined by Paul McGinley, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Michael Hoey.
Simon Thornton of Team Ireland also secures a place in France after his 9th place finish at the BMW International Open on Sunday – the best result yet in his Rookie season.
Four players from the world’s top ten - Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy – lead a world-class field attempting to wrest the Alstom Open de France title from Germany’s Martin Kaymer in Versailles this week.
Europe’s leading players will be joined by Major Champions Angel Cabrera of Argentina, Michael Campbell of New Zealand, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie, Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy and Spain’s José Maria Olazábal, competing for the first time since October, all of whom will bring their considerable experience to bear at Le Golf National in the oldest continental Open.
Last summer Kaymer was unbeatable in a glorious two week spell as he followed his victory in the Alstom Open de France by success in the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond. He has subsequently added a fifth European Tour title to his growing CV by winning the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January and the 25 year old will return to Le Golf National fuelled by the fond memories of 12 months ago.
The German defeated Westwood at the first extra hole of a play-off, after they tied on 13 under par – three shots clear of third placed Poulter - to secure the oldest National Open in continental Europe over Le Golf National.
There will be plenty of players looking to spoil the Kaymer family party in Versailles, including last week’s BMW International Open champion David Horsey of England, as well as the man who finished in a tie for third last week, the 2008 Alstom Open de France winner Pablo Larrazabal of Spain.
There is also the welcome return of Olazábal to competitive action.
The two-time Masters Champion has not played since the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar last October as he battles rheumatic pains. He has been seen only in Pro-Ams since then, winning the one on the eve of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, but looks set to feature after making good progress recently.
