So, as I mentioned at the end of my last blog, I received the email to say “Chris, you are now in the French Open, will you be travelling?”
Probably one of the easiest questions I’ve ever had to answer, especially when my flight to France was already booked! Laura, the girls, and Steve’s wife Tracey had also started the long drive down from Yorkshire!
So after a few delays, me and Steve landed in Paris and after a few hours we were at the accommodation with the girls!
This week we were in a ‘lodge’ and Steve and Tracey were ‘glamping’ on the same holiday park as us!
(On leaving we found out it was infested with mice … not good!)
It was ideal really (despite the mice) – a little restaurant on site, a heated pool, and a small park for the kids…but 6 nights was going to be enough!
Location wise it was great, a couple of miles outside Versailles and within close range of the players’ hotel (once again nicely priced at €220 a night).
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- Steve and Tracey glamping
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- Olivia looking for daddy!
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- Streets of Versailles
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- Sisters!!
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- Our lodge!
‘Le Golf National’
I’ve heard so many great things about this course, and with the changes in preparation for the 2018 Ryder Cup, it sounded even better!
The only difference this year was that it was soft, and normally plays firm and bouncy!
Anyway the practice round did not disappoint!
About the course….
Every tee shot was like last week in Germany, you had to hit the fairway! Semi rough was not an option as you weren’t going to get to the green! It’s as it should be, there is a huge reward on hitting fairways, which then gives you a massive advantage going into the greens over everyone else who’s not on the short stuff!
You really had to plot your way around and be very patient! And to finish off, it probably had the best 4 hole stretch you had to navigate your way around!
I loved it!
So Tuesday/Wednesday were normal prep days apart from having ultrasound on a recurring pain in my left knee…
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- Getting set!
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- Family time!
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- Jess practicing!
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- Me and Steve crunching numbers!
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- Post round 1 interview
Nothing major to worry about but a slight tear in the cartilage, it’s manageable with ice, elevating it and not putting any extra stress on it!
It only hurts when I squat to read putts, so in my swing it has no negative effect!
1st round!
Wow, I played good for 11 holes, not far off my best! I was cruising… Then two great par saves down the next two holes kept some momentum!
Up 14 I missed a short birdie, then holed a monster on 15, made a meal of 16 in the water but made a world class birdie down 17!
To sign off with a 5 down the last was no drama. Basically if you miss the fairway you make bogey… simple as that!!
But a great first round 68 (-3) and I was in the mix!!
Round two I played ok, but it was eventful! The double up the 9th, my last hole left a sour taste but that wasn’t half of what went on…
Down the 13th, I pulled my drive left, shouted “fore”, it then took one bounce and smashed into a spectator’s chin! One big bump and some claret dripping off his chin unsettled me a bit as that was a new experience!
But I battled on, so did he, as five holes later he reappeared for a photo of me walking off a green!
I just hope he’s not preparing his law suit!
Round 3…
The only highlight was playing with Padraig Harrington, as we both dragged each other down and played poorly!
He was a great guy, we really enjoyed his company and you can see how he has so many titles to his name!! He knows his own game!!!!
Round 4…
That’s as good as I’ve been all year, I did not hole a lot but my game was solid!! It’s really nice to sign off with a good score (70, -1) and move up the scoreboard to T45th.
What a fantastic week!
68, 75, 77, 70 (+6) T45th
And now some more good news….
I’m into the Scottish Open! BRING IT ON