May 15, 2018: World Number One Justin Thomas has confirmed he will make his debut appearance at the HNA Open de France, the third of eight Rolex Series events on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai in 2018, as he joins defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm in the field at Le Golf National, from June 28-July 1.
The 25 year old, who yesterday became just the 21st player to be crowned World Number One since the Official World Golf Ranking started in 1986, sealed his first Major title with a two-shot victory at the 2017 US PGA Championship and ended the year as the leading player on the PGA Tour, recording five victories on his way to claiming his maiden FedEx Cup title.
Thomas has continued that form into the 2018 season winning two titles on the PGA Tour at the CJ Cup and Honda Classic, a second-place finish at the WGC-Mexico Championship and fourth at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in March, before recording his best-ever result at the Masters Tournament where he finished tied 17th.
It will be the first time the American has teed it up at a Rolex Series event and his second appearance in a regular European Tour event following his debut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2013 when he turned professional.
“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to go and play in a European Tour event”– Justin Thomas
“It is something I haven’t done since my first start as a pro when I went to play the Dunhill Links.
“I’m not sure what to expect, having never played a Rolex Series event. I know they’re fairly new to the European Tour, so it will be really fun to be a part of it. I’m sure the field is going to be tremendous, especially being a Ryder Cup venue. It will have a lot of talent.”
This year’s HNA Open de France will once again take place at Le Golf National, the venue for The Ryder Cup on September 28-30, 2018, and will be the final tournament played at the course before Thomas Bjørn’s European team take on Jim Furyk’s American side.
While Thomas will aim to win a maiden Open de France title – one of continental Europe’s oldest and most celebrated golf tournaments – he is also looking to gather as much knowledge as possible of the world renowned Albatros Course ahead of a potential Ryder Cup debut in September.
“I’m excited to see the course and go check it out a little bit. It’s not like a Ryder Cup or a President’s Cup in the States where we can just pop over and play when we want.
“I’m hoping to get some good vibes from it and learn a few things about the course. It is always good to help provide any information that might help our team prepare.”
Tickets for all tournament days of the HNA Open de France are now available by clicking here. Concessions are available for customers aged 16-21, 65 and over, and FFG licensees, while children under 16 are permitted free entry when accompanied by a ticket holding adult. A maximum of three under 16 per adult is authorised.
The HNA Open de France offers a unique day out for spectators of all ages, and now fans can watch Thomas, Fleetwood and Rahm in style by purchasing a one-day premium ticket for just €100.
The new premium ticket offering includes access via VIP entrance, one car park pass, access to the 2018 Clubhouse Restaurant, a glass of champagne served overlooking the golf course, and a Fidelity card (to be collected at the pro shop during the event) which provide discounts on Le Golf National green fees for one year.
European Tour Release
