3 July, 2016: Thongchai Jaidee claimed his eighth European Tour title as he cruised to a comfortable victory at the 100th Open de France.
The Thai was a picture of consistency over the weekend at Le Golf National, carding two consecutive rounds of 68 to get to 11 under thanks to a run of 39 bogey-free holes, and claiming a four-shot triumph over Italy’s Francesco Molinari, who carded the low round of the day with a 66.
World Number Four Rory McIlroy finished third on six under with a closing 71 and Brandon Stone, Alex Noren, Callum Shinkwin and Richard Sterne earned their places at the Open Championship by finishing in the top 12.
Jaidee’s victory marks the first time that the European Tour has had seven Asian victories in the same season, with the 46 year old also becoming the oldest winner in Open de France history, beating 2010 champion Miguel Angel Jiménez by 58 days.
“I am very happy this is the biggest win of my career, and my family here this week together just makes it even more special. I’ve been coming here many, many years, and I think especially this week with the centenary edition of the tournament, it’s a special week for me to win on one of the toughest courses we play. Everything is absolutely perfect.
“I’ve been coming here about ten years, and I think this week the course is set up quite tough. The fairways are quite narrow and the rough is very thick. You have to hit the ball in play all the time, otherwise, if you keep it in play and you hit on the green and you hit a good one putt, you’re going to have a good chance to win the tournament. This week, for me, I had no problems at all. I hit the ball perfect, and kept it in play all the time. That’s why I’m confident to play the golf course.”, said the title winner Thongchai Jaidee.
European Tour Release
