Rory McIlroy has made a strong statement of support for European Tour chief Keith Pelley by announcing that he will play the 100th Open de France in Paris at the start of July, but it’s now certain he’ll miss the Scottish Open.
The decision to play in France means the Northern Irishman and World No 3 is missing the WGC Bridgestone Championship in Akron, which this year has a date clash with the French due to a shuffling of the schedules to accommodate the return of golf to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.
However it is now certain that McIlroy will not play the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart the week after France, nor is he likely to play at the European Tour’s flagship tournament, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next month.
McIlroy’s decision to play at Le Golf National outside Paris for the first time since 2010 was explained in a European Tour press release to be his final preparation for the Open Championship at Royal Troon – LGN is an inland course but with many link-like features. That’s a clear indication he has no intention of going to Castle Stuart.
In the diplomatic world of the relations between golf’s major tours and the top players, there’s an element of mutual back-scratching going on with this decision.
By playing in Paris, McIlroy is making a firm statement of support for Pelley, who took the decision that the European Tour would not co-sanction the WGC tournament in Akron because of the clash of dates with one of Europe’s longest established events.
Pelley also decreed that the Open de France would receive double Ryder Cup qualification points in a clear attempt to ensure most of the top Europeans come to Paris.
Given McIlroy’s high status in the world rankings, it’s unlikely he’s in need of any extra qualification points to make Darren Clarke’s European team to defend the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.
Instead, his decision to go to Paris is a public show of support Pelley, whilst also gaining the approval of the Tour’s chief executive for missing Wentworth and Castle Stuart.
In the tour statement, McIlroy said he felt playing in Paris was the best way to prepare for Royal Troon just two weeks later.
“Le Golf National may not be a pure links course but it is traditionally firm and fast and throws up tricky conditions,” he said. “It’s a great test and I think playing there, while staying in Europe, offers the best conditions to prepare for the Open at Troon.
“It will also be great to be part of the centennial edition of the French Open, which is one of the best events on the European Tour. Paris is also one of the greatest cities in the world and I love visiting it.”
