Matthieu Pavon is set for an emotional homecoming when he returns to Le Golf National for this year’s FedEx Open de France, from October 10-13.
The 31-year-old will make his first appearance in his home national open since his history-making victory at the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA TOUR earlier this year and maiden DP World Tour triumph at the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid last November.
Pavon’s breakthrough victory on the DP World Tour in the Spanish capital last November kick-started a late season run of form which saw him go on to earn dual membership on the PGA TOUR for 2024 after finishing 15th on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.
He wasted no time making his mark in the United States as he finished in a share of seventh at the Sony Open in Hawaii and then two weeks later claimed a maiden PGA TOUR victory at the Farmers Insurance Open, beating fellow European Nicolai Højgaard to the title at Torrey Pines by a single stroke.
Pavon became the first French winner on the PGA TOUR in the modern era, and the first Frenchman to claim a PGA TOUR victory since Arnaud Massy, whose 1907 Open Championship win was recognised in 2002, also becoming the first dual-ranked member to claim a victory on the PGA TOUR in the 2024 season.
He is currently third on the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup standings and is making a debut appearance at THE PLAYERS Championship this week.
The Toulousian now sits 26th on the Official World Golf Ranking and is on course to represent his nation on home soil in the Paris 2024 Olympics – with the men’s and women’s golf competitions also taking place at Le Golf National.
“I’m really looking forward to returning home to play in the FedEx Open de France in October,” said Pavon. “It will be even more special teeing it up on home soil this year as a winner both on the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR.
“I have learned a lot about myself as a player over the last six months and I’m really looking forward to whatever challenge Le Golf National has to throw at us this year as it’s always a great test of golf.
"There’s always a great atmosphere when the crowds are watching the French players and we are very proud to have the opportunity to play in front of them. With FedEx coming on board as a sponsor for the event, it can only go from strength to strength.”
This year marks the 106th edition of the prestigious tournament. Past champions include legends of the game such as Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer, Sir Nick Faldo, José María Olazábal, Byron Nelson and Walter Hagen.
The tournament occupies a prime position on the DP World Tour’s ‘Back 9’, which encompasses nine of the Tour’s most historic tournaments and national opens, giving members their final opportunities to secure playing rights for 2025 and also advance to the season ending ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’ in the United Arab Emirates.
