Holder Jimenez hopes to hit form at French Open

Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez defends his French Open title this week at Le National course outside Versailles, which was recently named as host of the 2018 Ryder Cup. A year ago, Jimenez triumphed in a three-man play-off with compatriot Alejandro Canizares and Francesco Molinari of Italy, helping seal his place in the European Ryder Cup team for later in the year. Winless so far this year, 47-year-old Jimenez failed to make the cut at the US Open earlier this month, but is hopeful his return to Paris can re-ignite his season. “It was important to get that win because it helped me qualify for the Ryder Cup team,” said Jimenez. “The tournament has a great history and I feel very privileged to have my name on the trophy and I would like to see it there another time. “My game is not far away from being very good. Sometimes you just need a good break and I haven’t had many recently. Maybe that can change in France.” With players gearing up for the year’s third major, the British Open, which takes places at Royal St George’s in south-east England from July 14-17, the links-like course that stages the tournament has once again attracted a top-class field. Germany’s Martin Kaymer is the top-ranked player in action. He is currently world number four, but held the prestigious top spot for a few weeks earlier this year before first Lee Westwood and then Luke Donald moved ahead. The 26-year-old Kaymer, who won here in 2009, has not been in the best of form since tinkering with his swing at the Masters in April, but is confident Le National can bring out his best form. “I won in 2009 here and obviously before that I’ve done well here already (he also won a Challenge Tour event at this venue). I think it’s one of the best golf courses we play on the European Tour,” he said. “I consider it a golf course that I really like, and it suits my eye.” There is a strong Italian flavour to the field with the Molinari brothers, Francesco and Edoardo, alongside the 18-year-old prodigy Matteo Manassero, while Alvaro Quiros joins Jimenez as strong Spanish threats. Leading the US challenge and playing in France for the first time will be world number 12 Bubba Watson, who has won twice already this year on the US circuit. Past winners other than Jimenez and Kaymer taking part include Pablo Larrazabal of Spain, who won in 2008 and also won last week at the BMW International in Munich, Graeme Storm of England (2007) and last year’s Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie (2000). French hopes will mainly rest with Thomas Levet and Raphael Jaquelin, both of whom were instrumental in helping the French Golf Federation’s bid win the race to host the 2018 Ryder Cup. Jacquelin admitted that there was a sense of elation in France following the Ryder Cup decision last month. “It’s really good news and a nice surprise for France,” he said. “It’s going to be great for the country. It’s the best that I could imagine for golf in France. So we are all excited about the Ryder Cup in 2018. “For myself, I’m going to try as hard as possible to get on the team. I know I will be 44 years old, but that’s the goal. Why not?”